I'm trying to wire up 4 four-foot lights in my garage, and I've run into some confusion with the switch setup. I've got everything connected, and the switch leg is down at the 3-way switch, but when I flip the switch, I'm met with a complicated mess that I can't figure out. The two wires with the wire nut are constant hot, and I'm struggling to understand where to connect my neutral for the switch leg. Any advice would really help! Also, I'm unsure how to add an attachment to show what my switch looks like.
3 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with a classic wiring scenario! Check out this great diagram that breaks down the four common wiring configurations for three-way switches: [Diagram Link](https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/projects/electric/Level5-3-way--4-way-switches.pdf). Just remember, for your setup, the neutral doesn't usually go to the switch but rather to the light fixture. You’ll need to find a way to manage that with your existing wiring.
I totally get your confusion! When you mention bringing your switch leg down to the 3-way switch, it sounds like you may have the wrong type of switches connected. Make sure you have the correct 3-way switches in place since they require two traveler wires. If you have a standard wall switch, it won’t handle this appropriately. Also, in your case, make sure you're determining where that white wire (neutral) should ultimately connect, as it typically shouldn't just go to the switch box.
What do you mean by 'monstrosity'? Sounds like you might be looking at a lot of wires that could be interconnected in ways that are complicating things! The switch leg refers to the wire leading from your light fixture to the switch, but your situation seems tricky because you said you have a constant hot and no neutral in the switch box. You should check your wiring again; the wiring needs to efficiently connect to ensure a safe and functional setup.