Well, they sell 3-way compact fluorescent bulbs, but they're quite a bit more expensive; up to 20 dollars a bulb!...Harder to find as well, since many people (myself included) debate whether the purchase is worth it. I've made the switch w/ all but my three-way lamp. Anyway, using a one-way cf bulb will pose the same problems as using an incandescent one-way as far as electrical fire hazards. Hope that helps!
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Yes. Instead of sending the hot wire straight from one of the three way switches to the light, put a dimmer switch on the hot wire to control the light.
Yes , but the light bulb will only light on one of the switch settings instead of
the 3 different wattages of a tri-light bulb
no
One 3-way dimmer switch, one regular 3-way switch and one 4-way switch. The 4-way is wired between the two pairs of travelers from the other two switches. The common on the dimmer is tied to either the light or to the branch hot and the common on the other 3-way is tied to whichever is left (hot or the light).
No. A double pole switch would be a switch that switches 2 different loads simultaneously. 3-way switches (and 4-way switches if more than 2 are used) are what are used for controlling a light from multiple locations. While a typical single pole switch simply opens or closes a single contact, a 3-way switch provides a path from a contact point to, let's say, point A or point B. Points A and B from the first 3-way switch are connected to points A and B of the second 3-way switch and then the common contact point of the second switch is connected to your light. When more than 2 switches are desired, you can use any number of 4-way switches between the 3-way switches, but the 3-way switches MUST be on the ends of the circuit.
No. For any 3 way switch installation you need 2 "travelers" between switches and these conductors cannot be used for any other purpose. The 3rd wire is used for a neutral or switch leg, depending on the needs of the circuit, but is not connected to both switches. The neutral is not connected to either switch.
3 way switches have 3 terminals. A common on and off switch only has 2.
no
15 types of
== == Yes, there are 3-way dimmer switches. Normally staircase lights plus bed room lights need these kind of 3-way switches to turn lights on or off from more than one place. Such lighting arrangements can use dimmers if u need as usual nothing to worry. A dimmer will help save energy, may prolong the life of the bulbs, and will permit greater variability of the amount of light to be used.
One 3-way dimmer switch, one regular 3-way switch and one 4-way switch. The 4-way is wired between the two pairs of travelers from the other two switches. The common on the dimmer is tied to either the light or to the branch hot and the common on the other 3-way is tied to whichever is left (hot or the light).
If you're really lucky, you'll just have no power going to the light. You could very easily short out across the circuit breaker. Dimmers are not intended to be used in series, which would be the only way to hook them up in place of 3-way switches. This does not apply if you can find 3-way dimmer switches. They are expensive and fairly uncommon, but there are a few out there. It's always best to have any electrical work performed by a licensed, bonded electrician.
No. A double pole switch would be a switch that switches 2 different loads simultaneously. 3-way switches (and 4-way switches if more than 2 are used) are what are used for controlling a light from multiple locations. While a typical single pole switch simply opens or closes a single contact, a 3-way switch provides a path from a contact point to, let's say, point A or point B. Points A and B from the first 3-way switch are connected to points A and B of the second 3-way switch and then the common contact point of the second switch is connected to your light. When more than 2 switches are desired, you can use any number of 4-way switches between the 3-way switches, but the 3-way switches MUST be on the ends of the circuit.
No, you cannot put 2 dimmers on one 3-way circuit. A 3-way circuit requires a specific wiring configuration that allows for control of a single light from multiple switches. Installing two dimmers on a 3-way circuit would disrupt this configuration and prevent proper functioning of the circuit.
No. For any 3 way switch installation you need 2 "travelers" between switches and these conductors cannot be used for any other purpose. The 3rd wire is used for a neutral or switch leg, depending on the needs of the circuit, but is not connected to both switches. The neutral is not connected to either switch.
No.
If the dimmer is "plugged-in" how can it be a 3-way? Please give more details
Yes.
3 way switches have 3 terminals. A common on and off switch only has 2.