Because the hot and neutral switch back and forth a 3 way dimmer can not be used the carter circuit was banned in 1923 but i have found them in homes wired all the way up into the 50s and using romex wiring. Weird and illegal 3 way switch 1.
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Illegal 3 way switch. If the lampholder is screw shell reverse polarity is not allowed. The alternate 3 way switch wiring configuration california or west coast was used as a way to wire 3 way switches and be able to supply line voltage to either switchthis configuration is no longer allowed as the neutral is not present in each switch box. The 4 way switch is reversing the connection of the hot and neutral travelers and all it takes is for the switch mechanism to momentarily connect traveler to traveler to get a plasma arc. Because handymen and totally ignorant so called expert electricians refused to stop using it. I doubt the 4 ways are tested or even designed with this in mind and have to wonder if putting the hot and neutral on travelers isnt a 1103b or nrtl. Color of wires to lamp since each is sometimes hot sometimes neutral.
This was done to save on wire and to avoid having to use 3 wire cables. If the hots come from different circuitsdifferent panels. There were also some illegal 3 way set ups done at outbuildings to have 3 way switching of a light and an always live load without having to have a multi wire conduit run. Conventional 3 way wiring is not very complexwith conventional wiring the line line voltage connects to the common of one switch.
Gallery of Illegal 3 Way Switch
