How NOT to Wire Light Switches in 2024 (New Rules)

Backyard Maine
18 Mar 202415:20

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

  • 💡 Single pole and three-way light switches can be wired using different methods, each suitable for specific installations.
  • 🚫 The traditional method of wiring single pole switches with a two-wire cable, known as a 'switch loop,' is no longer code compliant.
  • 🔌 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.
  • 🧰 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.
  • 🏗️ The 2023 NEC update removed exceptions allowing installations without a neutral wire at switch boxes, making neutral wires mandatory in all new installations.
  • ⚡ For compliant switch loops, a three-wire cable must be used, carrying a neutral wire to the switch box.
  • 🌐 Three-way switches can be wired using various methods, including standard, dead end, California, and Chicago methods.
  • 🔄 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.
  • 💼 The 'dead end three-way' method utilizes a reidentified white wire as a hot wire, resulting in one switch box without a neutral wire.
  • 🛑 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

00:00

🔌 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.

05:00

💊 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.

10:02

🔍 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.

15:03

🙏 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

💡Single Pole Switches

Single pole switches are the most common type of light switches, designed to control a light or outlet with a single on/off action. In the video, the presenter discusses two methods for wiring these switches and the changes in the 2023 code update that affects their installation.

💡Three-Way Switches

Three-way switches are a type of electrical switch that controls a light or other electrical device from two different locations. They require a minimum of three wires and are used in conjunction with a standard single-pole switch to control the power flow to the light fixture.

💡Neutral Wire

A neutral wire is an electrical conductor that forms part of the circuit in a power distribution system. It completes the circuit back to the power source, allowing current to flow through the electrical device and return to the source. The video discusses the requirement for a neutral wire at switch boxes and the implications of the 2023 code update.

💡Code Compliance

Code compliance refers to the adherence to the rules and regulations set forth by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for safe electrical installations. The video outlines changes in the 2023 NEC that affect how light switches are wired and emphasizes the importance of following these codes for safety and legal reasons.

💡Switch Loop

A switch loop is a wiring method where the power supply runs to the light fixture and then a two-wire loop is extended down to the switch. This method was traditionally used for single pole switches but has become non-compliant due to the 2023 NEC update that requires a neutral wire in the switch box.

💡Feed Through Method

The feed through method is a wiring technique where the power supply is first run to the switch box, and then another cable is extended from the switch box to the light fixture. This method is code compliant for single pole switches as it ensures a neutral wire is present in the switch box.

💡National Electrical Code (NEC)

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is a set of rules and regulations governing safe electrical wiring practices in the United States. It is updated periodically to reflect changes in technology and safety standards. The video discusses the impact of the 2023 NEC on wiring practices for light switches.

💡Smart Switches

Smart switches are electronic devices that replace traditional light switches and allow for remote control of lighting through smartphone apps, voice commands, or other smart home systems. They often require a neutral wire to function properly.

💡Dead End Three-Way

A dead end three-way switch is a wiring configuration where one leg of the three-way switch circuit does not connect to the switch but instead goes directly to the light fixture. This method is still code compliant despite not having a neutral wire at every switch box, as long as one switch box has a neutral wire.

💡Reidentifying Wires

Reidentifying wires refers to the process of changing the color or marking of a wire to indicate a different purpose or function. This is sometimes necessary when the original color coding does not match the new requirements of the wiring configuration.

💡Sponsor

A sponsor is an individual, organization, or company that supports a project, event, or content creation, often in exchange for promotional consideration. In the context of the video, AG1 is the sponsor and is highlighted for providing a daily foundational nutrition supplement.

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

00:00

in this video I'll show you a few

00:02

options that we have for wiring both

00:04

single pole and three-way light switches

00:07

whether or not a white neutral wire is

00:09

required at all switch boxes or just

00:12

some of them and a new 2023 code update

00:16

that'll change how we wire light

00:17

switches from now on let's start out

00:20

looking at single pole switches and then

00:22

we'll move on to the three-ways there

00:24

are two methods we use when wiring

00:26

single pole switches the first method is

00:29

called the switch Loop this is when we

00:31

run our feed cable to the light fixture

00:33

box and then send a two wire Loop down

00:36

to the switch in the past this was

00:38

usually done with a two-wire cable like

00:41

142 Romax we would connect both the

00:44

black wire and the white wire to the

00:47

light switch but since the white wire is

00:49

not being used as a neutral in this case

00:52

it would need to be reidentified as a

00:54

hot wire this was usually done with

00:56

electrical tape using this method the

00:59

hot wire comes down from the feed at the

01:01

light box it goes through the switch and

01:04

then back up to the light box where it's

01:07

connected to light fixture the neutral

01:09

wire would stay up here at the light box

01:11

where it's needed for the light fixture

01:13

and not make its way down to the light

01:15

switch but two wire switch Loops using

01:18

cable like RX are no longer code

01:21

compliant for new installations I'll

01:23

tell you why and I'll show you how you

01:25

can still use cable switch loops and

01:27

remain code compliant but first first

01:30

let's take a look at the second wiring

01:32

method commonly used for wiring single

01:34

pole switches this is the way I wire

01:36

them and we'll call it the feed through

01:38

method in this case we take our feed

01:41

cable to the switch box first and then

01:43

another two-wire cable up to the light

01:47

box we connect our two white neutral

01:50

wires together in the switch box which

01:52

will carry the neutral up to the light

01:54

box where it's needed for the light

01:55

fixture the black hot wire from the feed

01:58

and the black switch leg to the light

02:00

will connect to the switch and then

02:02

obviously the ground wires will connect

02:04

together with a tail to the switch and

02:06

then continue up to the light box now

02:09

this is a code compliant wiring method

02:11

for single pole switches so why was our

02:14

two-wire switch Loop a code violation

02:17

because it didn't leave a neutral wire

02:19

in the single pole switch box and they

02:22

are required there back in 2011 article

02:25

4042 of the NEC was updated to require a

02:29

neutral wire at light switches the

02:31

reason for the update was many of the

02:33

new lighting controls and smart switches

02:35

were being introduced which required a

02:38

neutral wire to keep the electronics

02:40

functioning when people were replacing

02:42

existing light switches with the new

02:44

devices that required a neutral they

02:46

would often find they had no neutral

02:48

wire in the switch box so the device

02:50

would not work there were five

02:53

exceptions to 4042 and the 2011 code and

02:56

exception number two was the issue the

02:59

exceptions stated that a neutral wasn't

03:01

required where the Box en closing the

03:03

switch is accessible for the

03:05

installation of an additional or a

03:07

replacement cable without removing the

03:09

finished materials so this meant if you

03:12

could fish a wire down from the attic or

03:14

up from the basement or crawl space a

03:17

neutral wire would not be required for

03:19

the original installation so many light

03:22

switches were still being installed with

03:24

no neutral wire but in the newly updated

03:27

2023 National electrical code exception

03:30

number two was removed now a neutral

03:33

wire is required at a switch boox making

03:36

that two wire switch Loop a code

03:38

violation up next I'm going to show you

03:40

how we can still legally use switch

03:42

Loops two methods for wiring three-way

03:45

and four-way switches and whether or not

03:48

a neutral wire is required for those as

03:50

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back into the content you may be

05:44

wondering how do we get a neutral wire

05:47

to the switch boox with a switch Loop

05:49

the solution we'll have to run a three

05:51

wire from the light down to the switch

05:53

boox from now on we can still run our

05:56

power to the light box but now we'll

05:58

connect our black black hot wire to the

06:01

black wire down to the switch our red

06:03

wire back up from the switch will

06:06

connect to the light fixture the neutral

06:08

and ground wires will connect as usual

06:10

but the neutral will now be going down

06:12

to the switch box as well at the light

06:15

switch box will connect our red wire and

06:18

our black wire to the light switch the

06:20

neutral wire will either be capped off

06:22

if not needed or connect it to the Smart

06:25

Switch or lighting control if that's

06:27

what we're using so is the neutral wire

06:30

required at three-way and four-way

06:32

switch boxes as well it is well kind of

06:36

I'll explain there are actually four

06:38

methods to wire three-way switches the

06:41

Chicago 3-way which has been illegal for

06:43

decades the California 3way which is not

06:46

acceptable in all areas then we have the

06:49

standard method and the dead end

06:51

three-way and I'll show you those right

06:53

now let's go to the Whiteboard okay

06:55

let's start out with the standard method

06:57

because it's the most common and the

06:59

most widely accepted way to wire

07:01

three-way switches so on the board we

07:03

have our power we have our first

07:07

three-way we'll call it switch one our

07:10

second three-way switch two and our

07:14

light our first switch will be

07:18

line because that's where the power will

07:20

come in and we'll call our second switch

07:24

leg because that'll take the switch leg

07:27

up to the light then we'll run a 122

07:30

cable from our power source to our first

07:33

three-way switch in the black wire we'll

07:37

connect to our power source and come

07:39

down and hit the black common screw on

07:42

our first three-way switch and we'll run

07:45

a second 122 from our light box to our

07:48

second three-way switch and our black

07:51

common wire will come from our light

07:56

fixture over into the common screw on

07:59

our second three-way switch then we'll

08:01

run a 123 cable between our two

08:04

three-way switches the red and the black

08:07

wires in the 123 are going to be our

08:09

Travelers so our red wire will go from

08:12

the gold screw on one switch to the gold

08:15

screw on the other traveler number one

08:19

and the black wire will go from the gold

08:21

screw on one switch to the gold screw on

08:24

the other traveler number two now our

08:26

122 wire coming down from Power all o

08:29

has a neutral wire in it now since I

08:31

can't use a white marker on a white

08:34

board we'll use a dotted line so our

08:37

neutral wire is going to come down and

08:40

go to switch boox number one but it's

08:42

not going to connect to the switch and

08:45

our neutral wire from the light

08:47

fixture is going to come

08:52

down

08:54

and it's going to be in our second

08:57

switch box but also not connect connect

08:59

to the

09:01

switch our 123 that we have going

09:04

between our two switches also has a

09:06

white wire in it so that white

09:10

wire will carry our

09:14

neutral wire between our two

09:17

switches and these are going to splice

09:21

together in our two switch

09:24

boxes like

09:26

so let me show you how this would work

09:29

let's cross these little pieces out on

09:31

our

09:32

switch so our power comes down it goes

09:36

into the first switch we'll say that the

09:38

switch is in this position right now and

09:40

it goes across the black traveler here

09:42

and we'll say that this switch is in

09:45

this position then it goes up to our

09:48

light then our current travels through

09:50

the light fixture back on our neutral

09:52

wire back to the source and the light

09:55

would be on so if we go to this first

09:58

switch and we switch it to the other

10:01

position now the power comes down goes

10:04

to the second switch but it's open here

10:06

so it can't get to the light so what if

10:07

we needed to control our lights from

10:09

more than two locations so we just stick

10:12

a four-way in the middle so we'd have a

10:14

three wire cable between three-way

10:17

number one and our four-way and a three

10:20

wire cable between three-way number two

10:23

and our

10:24

four-way so our two Travelers would

10:26

connect just like before our black tra

10:29

traveler here that would connect from

10:31

the gold screw on the three-way to the

10:34

gold screw on the fourway and our red

10:36

traveler here same thing between the

10:39

gold screw there is no black screw on

10:41

our four-way switch and then our black

10:45

here between the four-way and our other

10:49

three-way and the red between our

10:51

four-way and the other three-way and

10:53

then our neutral wire would connect in

10:56

this box as well so now the circuit

10:59

would work exactly like it did with the

11:01

three-ways but now we have a four-way in

11:02

the middle notice with this method we

11:04

have a neutral wire at every switch boox

11:07

location so we're going to be okay if we

11:09

ever want to install a switch that

11:11

requires one and we're code compliant

11:14

okay now let's look at a deadend

11:16

three-way and you'll see why we call it

11:17

a dead end three-way in just a minute we

11:20

still have our power source our two

11:22

three-way switches and our light like on

11:24

our standard 3-way we run a 122 cable

11:27

from our power source to our first

11:30

three-way we'll connect the black wire

11:33

to our power source which will connect

11:36

to the black common screw on our

11:38

three-way but this time another 122 will

11:41

come from the light fixture or the light

11:43

box to our first three-way

11:46

switch so our black wire will come down

11:49

from the

11:50

light into the switch box here but not

11:54

connect to the switch so like before

11:57

we'll have a three wire that goes

11:58

between our two three-way

12:00

switches our red

12:04

traveler will connect to the gold screw

12:07

on the first threeway and go to the gold

12:09

screw on the second one we'll jump over

12:11

this wire here and our black

12:14

traveler will come from the gold screw

12:16

on this three-way jump over that

12:19

wire and connect to the gold screw on

12:21

our other three-way but now we have to

12:24

get our switch leg from this three-way

12:27

back to this switch box to conect

12:29

connect to our light all we have left is

12:32

our white wire and the three wire that

12:34

goes between the two threeways so we'll

12:36

re identify our white wire as a hot wire

12:39

I'm going to use a blue marker in this

12:41

case but it's a white wire reidentified

12:43

so we're going to go from our black

12:46

screw and we're going to go over here

12:49

and we're not going to connect to

12:51

this making a mess here we're not going

12:54

to connect to this other switch we're

12:56

going to go up and we're going to

12:57

connect to that wire right there which

13:00

goes up to the light so then we'll have

13:02

our neutral wire coming down from the

13:05

light dotted line here we'll go right

13:08

through these same Loops

13:12

here and then

13:14

we'll jump over

13:18

that go over to the first switch

13:21

box and our neutral from our

13:23

power will come down

13:26

here over to our first switch box and

13:29

that'll those two neutral wires will

13:31

connect together in that switch box now

13:34

this works pretty much the same as our

13:36

last

13:38

three-way power will come down we'll say

13:41

it goes through the switch like that

13:43

goes across on our black

13:48

wire goes across this switch comes on

13:51

our blue wire we'll call this our

13:52

reidentified white wire goes back to

13:55

switch boox number one and then goes up

13:58

to our light

13:59

then the

14:00

neutral carries the current back from

14:03

the light back through this switch box

14:05

here and up to our power source and

14:08

completes the circuit now the reason we

14:10

call this a dead end three-way is in

14:12

this box here you can see that the

14:14

circuit cannot continue after that all

14:17

we have is switch power and there's no

14:19

neutral looking at switch boox one we do

14:22

have a neutral wire so we're good to go

14:24

here but switch to nope we have no

14:27

neutral wire over there but article 4042

14:31

in the National electrical code also

14:33

says where multiple switches control the

14:36

same lights a neutral wire is only

14:38

required at one of the switches so since

14:41

we have a neutral wire in this first

14:43

switch box this is going to be a code

14:45

compliant method some electrical

14:47

inspectors may have an issue with

14:49

reidentifying your white wire due to

14:51

size limitations in the code but I found

14:54

that most inspectors will let that go

14:56

keep that in mind though when you're

14:58

deciding on which method you're going to

15:00

use to wire your three-way switches I

15:02

want to thank you all for watching and I

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want to thank ag1 for sponsoring today's

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video remember to check out the link in

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the description to try it out for

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yourself I'll link some other content

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for you to watch next right here I'm

15:15

John from backyard Maine thanks for

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watching

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Lighting InstallationElectrical CodeDIY HomeSmart SwitchesWiring MethodsThree-Way SwitchSingle PoleElectrical SafetyHome ImprovementCode Compliance
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