How NOT to Wire Light Switches in 2024 (New Rules)
Summary
TLDRThis video tutorial outlines the wiring options for single pole and three-way light switches, discussing the necessity of white neutral wires in switch boxes and a recent 2023 code update affecting wiring practices. It explains two methods for single pole switches, the switch loop and feed-through methods, and why the former is no longer code compliant for new installations. The video also covers the standard method for wiring three-way switches, the use of four-way switches, and the concept of dead end three-way switches, ensuring viewers are informed about code compliance and safe wiring practices.
Takeaways
- π‘ Single pole and three-way light switches can be wired using different methods, each suitable for specific installations.
- π« The traditional method of wiring single pole switches with a two-wire cable, known as a 'switch loop,' is no longer code compliant.
- π A 'feed through' method is a recommended and code-compliant way to wire single pole switches, involving a feed cable to the switch box first, then to the light box.
- π§° In 2011, Article 404.2 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) was updated to require a neutral wire at light switches to accommodate new smart switches and lighting controls.
- ποΈ The 2023 NEC update removed exceptions allowing installations without a neutral wire at switch boxes, making neutral wires mandatory in all new installations.
- β‘ For compliant switch loops, a three-wire cable must be used, carrying a neutral wire to the switch box.
- π Three-way switches can be wired using various methods, including standard, dead end, California, and Chicago methods.
- π The 'standard method' for three-way switches involves two 3-way switches and a 3-wire cable for travelers, with neutrals at both switch boxes.
- πΌ The 'dead end three-way' method utilizes a reidentified white wire as a hot wire, resulting in one switch box without a neutral wire.
- π Certain wiring methods may face scrutiny or limitations based on local codes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and complying with specific electrical regulations.
Q & A
What are the two methods for wiring single pole switches mentioned in the video?
-The two methods for wiring single pole switches mentioned are the switch loop method and the feed through method.
Why was the switch loop method with two-wire cable no longer code compliant for new installations?
-The switch loop method with two-wire cable was no longer code compliant because it did not leave a neutral wire in the single pole switch box, which was required by the updated 2011 article 4042 of the NEC.
What change was introduced in the 2023 National Electrical Code regarding switch loops?
-The 2023 National Electrical Code removed exception number two, which previously allowed for the absence of a neutral wire in switch boxes for certain conditions, making the two-wire switch loop a code violation.
How can switch loops still be used legally while remaining code compliant?
-Switch loops can still be used legally by running a three-wire from the light down to the switch boxes, ensuring a neutral wire is present in the switch box as required by the code.
Is a neutral wire required at three-way and four-way switch boxes?
-Yes, a neutral wire is required at three-way and four-way switch boxes to comply with the updated electrical codes.
What are the four methods to wire three-way switches mentioned in the video?
-The four methods mentioned are the Chicago 3-way, the California 3-way, the standard method, and the dead end three-way.
How does the standard method for wiring three-way switches work?
-In the standard method, power is run to the first three-way switch, a cable is run from the light box to the second three-way switch, and a 123 cable is used to connect the two switches with the red and black wires being the travelers.
What is a dead end three-way switch and how is it wired?
-A dead end three-way switch is a configuration where a 122 cable comes from the light fixture to the first three-way switch, and the white wire is reidentified as a hot wire to complete the circuit back to the light.
Why is the dead end three-way switch method considered code compliant despite lacking a neutral wire in one switch box?
-The dead end three-way switch method is considered code compliant because Article 4042 in the National Electrical Code states that a neutral wire is only required at one of the switches when multiple switches control the same lights.
What is the main purpose of the neutral wire in a switch box?
-The main purpose of the neutral wire in a switch box is to provide a path for the current to return to the power source after it has passed through the light fixture, completing the electrical circuit.
What is the role of the travelers in three-way switch wiring?
-The travelers in three-way switch wiring are the red and black wires that run between the two three-way switches, allowing the circuit to be completed and the light to be controlled from multiple locations.
What is the significance of the 2011 update to Article 4042 of the NEC?
-The 2011 update to Article 4042 of the NEC made it mandatory to have a neutral wire at light switches, which was crucial for the functioning of new lighting controls and smart switches that were being introduced.
Outlines
π Wiring Light Switches: Methods and Code Updates
This paragraph introduces the video's focus on wiring options for single pole and three-way light switches, the necessity of a white neutral wire in switch boxes, and a 2023 code update affecting light switch wiring. It explains two methods for single pole switches: the switch loop (now non-compliant for new installations) and the feed-through method, which is code compliant. The paragraph also discusses the historical context and reasons behind the 2011 NEC update requiring a neutral wire at light switches, and the removal of an exception in the 2023 code, making the two-wire switch loop a code violation.
π Sponsored Introduction: AG1 Health Supplement
The video creator introduces AG1, the sponsor of the video, and shares personal experiences with the health supplement. The creator discusses the benefits of AG1 for managing stress, cognition, digestive health, and the immune system. They mention their preference for the product's taste and filling effect, and provide a call to action for viewers to try AG1 with a link and QR code for a free welcome kit.
π Neutral Wire in Switch Loops and Three-Way Switches
The paragraph explains how to legally use switch loops by running a three-wire from the light to the switch box, ensuring a neutral wire is present. It then discusses the requirement of a neutral wire in three-way and four-way switch boxes, detailing four methods to wire three-way switches: the Chicago 3-way, California 3-way, standard method, and dead end three-way. The standard method is explained with a 122 cable setup and the use of travelers, while the dead end three-way involves reidentifying a white wire as a hot wire and has specific requirements for compliance with the National Electrical Code.
π Thanks and Final Thoughts
The video concludes with the creator thanking the viewers and AG1 for sponsoring the content. They provide a link for viewers to try AG1 and offer additional content for further viewing. The creator signs off as John from Backyard Maine, encouraging viewers to continue exploring related topics.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Single Pole Switches
π‘Three-Way Switches
π‘Neutral Wire
π‘Code Compliance
π‘Switch Loop
π‘Feed Through Method
π‘National Electrical Code (NEC)
π‘Smart Switches
π‘Dead End Three-Way
π‘Reidentifying Wires
π‘Sponsor
Highlights
The video discusses wiring options for single pole and three-way light switches, including the impact of a 2023 code update.
Two methods for wiring single pole switches are explained: the switch loop and the feed through method.
The switch loop method is no longer code compliant for new installations due to the lack of a neutral wire in the switch box.
A 2011 NEC code update required a neutral wire at light switches due to the introduction of new lighting controls and smart switches.
The video explains how to remain code compliant with switch loops by running a three wire from the light to the switch box.
The video introduces the standard method for wiring three-way switches, which involves a power source, two three-way switches, and a light.
The standard method uses a 122 cable from the power source to the first three-way switch and a 123 cable between the two three-way switches.
The neutral wire is required at every switch box location in the standard method for wiring three-way switches.
The video also covers the dead end three-way method, which involves reidentifying the white wire as a hot wire.
In the dead end three-way method, a neutral wire is not required at every switch box, but it must be present at one of the switches controlling the same light.
The video mentions that some electrical inspectors may have issues with reidentifying the white wire due to size limitations in the code.
The video is sponsored by ag1, a daily foundational nutrition supplement that supports overall health, stress management, cognition, digestive health, and the immune system.
The video provides a comprehensive guide on how to wire light switches in compliance with the latest electrical codes.
The video explains the importance of having a neutral wire in switch boxes for future installations of smart switches and lighting controls.
The video offers practical solutions for maintaining code compliance when using older wiring methods, such as the switch loop.
The video's detailed explanation of the standard and dead end three-way switch wiring methods provides valuable knowledge for DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
Transcripts
in this video I'll show you a few
options that we have for wiring both
single pole and three-way light switches
whether or not a white neutral wire is
required at all switch boxes or just
some of them and a new 2023 code update
that'll change how we wire light
switches from now on let's start out
looking at single pole switches and then
we'll move on to the three-ways there
are two methods we use when wiring
single pole switches the first method is
called the switch Loop this is when we
run our feed cable to the light fixture
box and then send a two wire Loop down
to the switch in the past this was
usually done with a two-wire cable like
142 Romax we would connect both the
black wire and the white wire to the
light switch but since the white wire is
not being used as a neutral in this case
it would need to be reidentified as a
hot wire this was usually done with
electrical tape using this method the
hot wire comes down from the feed at the
light box it goes through the switch and
then back up to the light box where it's
connected to light fixture the neutral
wire would stay up here at the light box
where it's needed for the light fixture
and not make its way down to the light
switch but two wire switch Loops using
cable like RX are no longer code
compliant for new installations I'll
tell you why and I'll show you how you
can still use cable switch loops and
remain code compliant but first first
let's take a look at the second wiring
method commonly used for wiring single
pole switches this is the way I wire
them and we'll call it the feed through
method in this case we take our feed
cable to the switch box first and then
another two-wire cable up to the light
box we connect our two white neutral
wires together in the switch box which
will carry the neutral up to the light
box where it's needed for the light
fixture the black hot wire from the feed
and the black switch leg to the light
will connect to the switch and then
obviously the ground wires will connect
together with a tail to the switch and
then continue up to the light box now
this is a code compliant wiring method
for single pole switches so why was our
two-wire switch Loop a code violation
because it didn't leave a neutral wire
in the single pole switch box and they
are required there back in 2011 article
4042 of the NEC was updated to require a
neutral wire at light switches the
reason for the update was many of the
new lighting controls and smart switches
were being introduced which required a
neutral wire to keep the electronics
functioning when people were replacing
existing light switches with the new
devices that required a neutral they
would often find they had no neutral
wire in the switch box so the device
would not work there were five
exceptions to 4042 and the 2011 code and
exception number two was the issue the
exceptions stated that a neutral wasn't
required where the Box en closing the
switch is accessible for the
installation of an additional or a
replacement cable without removing the
finished materials so this meant if you
could fish a wire down from the attic or
up from the basement or crawl space a
neutral wire would not be required for
the original installation so many light
switches were still being installed with
no neutral wire but in the newly updated
2023 National electrical code exception
number two was removed now a neutral
wire is required at a switch boox making
that two wire switch Loop a code
violation up next I'm going to show you
how we can still legally use switch
Loops two methods for wiring three-way
and four-way switches and whether or not
a neutral wire is required for those as
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back into the content you may be
wondering how do we get a neutral wire
to the switch boox with a switch Loop
the solution we'll have to run a three
wire from the light down to the switch
boox from now on we can still run our
power to the light box but now we'll
connect our black black hot wire to the
black wire down to the switch our red
wire back up from the switch will
connect to the light fixture the neutral
and ground wires will connect as usual
but the neutral will now be going down
to the switch box as well at the light
switch box will connect our red wire and
our black wire to the light switch the
neutral wire will either be capped off
if not needed or connect it to the Smart
Switch or lighting control if that's
what we're using so is the neutral wire
required at three-way and four-way
switch boxes as well it is well kind of
I'll explain there are actually four
methods to wire three-way switches the
Chicago 3-way which has been illegal for
decades the California 3way which is not
acceptable in all areas then we have the
standard method and the dead end
three-way and I'll show you those right
now let's go to the Whiteboard okay
let's start out with the standard method
because it's the most common and the
most widely accepted way to wire
three-way switches so on the board we
have our power we have our first
three-way we'll call it switch one our
second three-way switch two and our
light our first switch will be
line because that's where the power will
come in and we'll call our second switch
leg because that'll take the switch leg
up to the light then we'll run a 122
cable from our power source to our first
three-way switch in the black wire we'll
connect to our power source and come
down and hit the black common screw on
our first three-way switch and we'll run
a second 122 from our light box to our
second three-way switch and our black
common wire will come from our light
fixture over into the common screw on
our second three-way switch then we'll
run a 123 cable between our two
three-way switches the red and the black
wires in the 123 are going to be our
Travelers so our red wire will go from
the gold screw on one switch to the gold
screw on the other traveler number one
and the black wire will go from the gold
screw on one switch to the gold screw on
the other traveler number two now our
122 wire coming down from Power all o
has a neutral wire in it now since I
can't use a white marker on a white
board we'll use a dotted line so our
neutral wire is going to come down and
go to switch boox number one but it's
not going to connect to the switch and
our neutral wire from the light
fixture is going to come
down
and it's going to be in our second
switch box but also not connect connect
to the
switch our 123 that we have going
between our two switches also has a
white wire in it so that white
wire will carry our
neutral wire between our two
switches and these are going to splice
together in our two switch
boxes like
so let me show you how this would work
let's cross these little pieces out on
our
switch so our power comes down it goes
into the first switch we'll say that the
switch is in this position right now and
it goes across the black traveler here
and we'll say that this switch is in
this position then it goes up to our
light then our current travels through
the light fixture back on our neutral
wire back to the source and the light
would be on so if we go to this first
switch and we switch it to the other
position now the power comes down goes
to the second switch but it's open here
so it can't get to the light so what if
we needed to control our lights from
more than two locations so we just stick
a four-way in the middle so we'd have a
three wire cable between three-way
number one and our four-way and a three
wire cable between three-way number two
and our
four-way so our two Travelers would
connect just like before our black tra
traveler here that would connect from
the gold screw on the three-way to the
gold screw on the fourway and our red
traveler here same thing between the
gold screw there is no black screw on
our four-way switch and then our black
here between the four-way and our other
three-way and the red between our
four-way and the other three-way and
then our neutral wire would connect in
this box as well so now the circuit
would work exactly like it did with the
three-ways but now we have a four-way in
the middle notice with this method we
have a neutral wire at every switch boox
location so we're going to be okay if we
ever want to install a switch that
requires one and we're code compliant
okay now let's look at a deadend
three-way and you'll see why we call it
a dead end three-way in just a minute we
still have our power source our two
three-way switches and our light like on
our standard 3-way we run a 122 cable
from our power source to our first
three-way we'll connect the black wire
to our power source which will connect
to the black common screw on our
three-way but this time another 122 will
come from the light fixture or the light
box to our first three-way
switch so our black wire will come down
from the
light into the switch box here but not
connect to the switch so like before
we'll have a three wire that goes
between our two three-way
switches our red
traveler will connect to the gold screw
on the first threeway and go to the gold
screw on the second one we'll jump over
this wire here and our black
traveler will come from the gold screw
on this three-way jump over that
wire and connect to the gold screw on
our other three-way but now we have to
get our switch leg from this three-way
back to this switch box to conect
connect to our light all we have left is
our white wire and the three wire that
goes between the two threeways so we'll
re identify our white wire as a hot wire
I'm going to use a blue marker in this
case but it's a white wire reidentified
so we're going to go from our black
screw and we're going to go over here
and we're not going to connect to
this making a mess here we're not going
to connect to this other switch we're
going to go up and we're going to
connect to that wire right there which
goes up to the light so then we'll have
our neutral wire coming down from the
light dotted line here we'll go right
through these same Loops
here and then
we'll jump over
that go over to the first switch
box and our neutral from our
power will come down
here over to our first switch box and
that'll those two neutral wires will
connect together in that switch box now
this works pretty much the same as our
last
three-way power will come down we'll say
it goes through the switch like that
goes across on our black
wire goes across this switch comes on
our blue wire we'll call this our
reidentified white wire goes back to
switch boox number one and then goes up
to our light
then the
neutral carries the current back from
the light back through this switch box
here and up to our power source and
completes the circuit now the reason we
call this a dead end three-way is in
this box here you can see that the
circuit cannot continue after that all
we have is switch power and there's no
neutral looking at switch boox one we do
have a neutral wire so we're good to go
here but switch to nope we have no
neutral wire over there but article 4042
in the National electrical code also
says where multiple switches control the
same lights a neutral wire is only
required at one of the switches so since
we have a neutral wire in this first
switch box this is going to be a code
compliant method some electrical
inspectors may have an issue with
reidentifying your white wire due to
size limitations in the code but I found
that most inspectors will let that go
keep that in mind though when you're
deciding on which method you're going to
use to wire your three-way switches I
want to thank you all for watching and I
want to thank ag1 for sponsoring today's
video remember to check out the link in
the description to try it out for
yourself I'll link some other content
for you to watch next right here I'm
John from backyard Maine thanks for
watching
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