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Replace 3-way switches with timer

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Replace 3-way switches with timer Chris 11-05-2007
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Posted by Chris on November 5, 2007, 2:18 pm
Hi,

I have a rental building with two separate entrances to the basement
laundry room. Each entrance has a light switch to turn on the light
in the basement. The problem is the tenants never turn off the
lights. I would like to replace these two switches with a timer
switches that would shut itself off after some fix amount of time.

All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
let me know the brand and model number.

Thanks,

CT


Posted by lee h on November 5, 2007, 2:26 pm
Chris wrote:
>
> All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
> that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
> two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
> let me know the brand and model number.
>

Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
(black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.


Posted by ransley on November 5, 2007, 3:15 pm
> Chris wrote:
>
> > All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
> > that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
> > two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
> > let me know the brand and model number.
>
> Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
> single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
> be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
> (black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
> of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.

Or a motion sensor


Posted by Jeff Wisnia on November 5, 2007, 5:42 pm
ransley wrote:

>
>>Chris wrote:
>>
>>
>>>All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
>>>that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
>>>two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
>>>let me know the brand and model number.
>>
>>Yes, use two timer switches on the same Hot circuit from a
>>single breaker. That way either switch, or both switches, can
>>be on and 'ticking'. You must make sure that the same hot
>>(black) and neutral (white) supplies both switches. The output
>>of both switches connect to the light fixture 'hot' side.
>
>
> Or a motion sensor
>

That will work as described, but if timer A is ON it won't let a
conciencious tenant turn the lights OFF from the timer B locatiuon,
would it?

That's probably better than leaving the light on "forever", so if you
can live with that minor inconsistancy, do so.

I agree that a motion detector is the better way to go.

If the laundry room is small enough you can probably get by with just
one near the center of the ceiling.

You could then remove the existing swiches, splice the switch wiring
appropriately, put blank covers where the switches were, and Bob's yer
uncle.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.


Posted by George on November 5, 2007, 6:33 pm
Chris wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a rental building with two separate entrances to the basement
> laundry room. Each entrance has a light switch to turn on the light
> in the basement. The problem is the tenants never turn off the
> lights. I would like to replace these two switches with a timer
> switches that would shut itself off after some fix amount of time.
>
> All the timer switches I have seen are for single pole and for a few
> that support 3-way wiring but It was not clear to me that I can use
> two timer switches on a circuit. If there is such a product, please
> let me know the brand and model number.
>
> Thanks,
>
> CT
>
Can you install a motion switch that will "see" the doorways?

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