Common Switching Circuits

This chapter will illustrate some common circuits used in household lighting systems, such as single-pole and 3-way switching, and discuss wiring and schematic diagrams related to the various circuits.

Care must be taken in new lighting installations to include an identified conductor at each switch location controlling a permanently installed luminaire, which will necessitate some changes in wiring practice, as seen in the “dead-end switch” example.

This requirement is to facilitate an expected increase in the use of smart switches, which are loads in and of themselves, and so need a connection to the grounded conductor to be properly utilized.