Can I Jump off a Neutral wire on an existing 3way Switch

[David Osinga]

I’m working in a two gang box, currently has two switches (1 3way with a neutral wire, on old 2 pole switch)

I’m trying to replace the old 2 pole switch with a Dimmer Switch that requires a Neutral Wire.

The 3way switch next to it has a neutral wire.

All other neutrals are cut short and crimped.

Can I run a jump off the neutral wire on the 3way switch, for a neutral on the new dimmer switch?

Before I do something stupid, hoping for some feedback...

Thx David

 

[Cid]

Yes will work fine.

 

[Michael Sands]

The neutral might be one of the two way switch wires if it is connected to L1 or L2 it definitely is a live switch wire hot neutral

 

[Tony Reidy]

I’m working in a two gang box, currently has two switches (1 3way with a neutral wire, on old 2 pole switch)

I’m trying to replace the old 2 pole switch with a Dimmer Switch that requires a Neutral Wire.

The 3way switch next to it has a neutral wire.

All other neutrals are cut short and crimped.

Can I run a jump off the neutral wire on the 3way switch, for a neutral on the new dimmer switch?

Before I do something stupid, hoping for some feedback...

Thx David

As long as the neutral you using is on the same circuit

 

[Charlie_]

The double pole switch I think is probably an intermediate switch?
The spare wire in the ‘3 way’ switch is maybe just a spare core from a twin hat wasn’t needed?
Have you got photographs?

 

[David Osinga]

The neutral might be one of the two way switch wires if it is connected to L1 or L2 it definitely is a live switch wire hot neutral

Thats new to me...

I did use a non-contact voltage tester to identify my Hot wires on both switches in the 2 gang box.

Both switches in the 2gang box are on the same circuit breaker!

Hot wires to each switch in the two hang box are black.

If need be, how would I verify whether the one loose white wire running to the 3way switch is neutral!

 

[telectrix]

looks like your in USA. to check the suspect wire, find the other end.

 

[MJPD29]

Are they on the same circuit as if not the coup because problems if you have a split board. Crossing neutrals isn't good

 

[Taylortwocities]

looks like your in USA.

Yes. The terms: 3-way and hot are giveaways.

I’m wondering how David knows the neutral is really a neutral. Do they bring the N to the switch in the US. it’s done here sometimes.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Yes and his location is a zipcode in CA. Beware OP: this is a UK forum and our codes are different in many details!

Agree with the other posters that you need to be sure it's a neutral, not just a white wire being used as a traveler (called a 'strapper' in the UK), and that it is part of the same circuit from the same breaker. If so, it should be OK to use it for the dimmer.

Attention UK posters: Important differences between UK and US practice re light switch colour coding. US often feeds via the switch but in a switch drop from a 3-plate, where we use the line / hot colour (brown) for permanent line, and the neutral colour (blue) for switched line, in the US it is the reverse. The neutral colour (white) is the feed and the line / hot colour (black) is the switched hot.

On a 3-way if the feed goes to one switch and the light to the other, the white wire should be the neutral all the way through, with red and black travelers. But, if the light is part way along between the switches, although the red traveler goes through, the white and black must change over there. At the switch with the feed the white is a neutral, red & black are hot travelers; at the far switch black is the switched hot and red and white are the travelers. So at this end (the switch without the feed) the white wire cannot be used for the dimmer as it is not a neutral.

 

[telectrix]

hmmm. if he's got travellers over there, the question is irrelevant because all his cable will have been nicked and weighed in by the end of the week.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Love Cids answer in post 2. Streight to the point with no idea.

 

[Red Tony]

Op.......
Pics please we might be able to tell if it is indeed a neutral or a switch live.

 

[telectrix]

Op.......
Pics please we might be able to tell if it is indeed a neutral or a switch live.

might take a while. carrier pigeon from USA takes a week to fly here with a tail wind.

 

[Red Tony]

I know but it's better than no pics......
Plus I like pretty colours.