3-Way Switch Loop, Ceiling Fed Multi-fixture Wiring Puzzle - Need Help

[NNMark]

This weekend I was replacing a hall light fixture in my old home (rewired circa 1980/90's) and noticed the work was done using one of the exposed ground wires as one of the switch leg/loop travelers on a 3-way. Obviously, this is completely wrong and a fire hazard, so I decided to try to rework the mess, and ended up with a big headache.

Here's my question - can you help with this wiring puzzle?

Is it possible to wire this configuration with only two 12-2 between the two ceiling fixtures? I believe it takes five wires (not four) and that's why wiring was done improperly using a ground wire.

Here's a summary of the circuit (see attached picture):

• Two ceiling boxes (1A + 1B) controlled by two 3-way switches (1A + 1B).
• Power enters the ceiling box 1B with 12-2 cable
• Switch 1A is connected Ceiling Box 1A with 14-3 cable
• Switch 1B is connected Ceiling Box 1B with 14-3 cable
• Ceiling box 1A and 1B are connected with two 12-2 cables
• Ceiling box 1A also houses two additional 12-2 cables to power another ceiling fixture #2 with a single pole switch #2 loop.

So the issue is uninterrupted power needs to travel from Ceiling box 1B to Ceiling Box 1A in order to feed Ceiling fixtures #2. AND, the 3-way switch travelers need to also pass between ceiling boxes 1A and 1B to control both fixtures 1A and 1B.

See attached photo.

Am I missing something, is there another way to wire the circuit? I believe I'm one wire short between ceiling box 1A and 1B -- 5 wires are required not 4.

My backup plan is to simply replace the 3-way switches with single poles switch loops and control lights 1A and 1B separate. But, before I go this route, I thought I would see if anyone can solve this wiring puzzle.

Thank you in advance.
-NNMark

 

[RetiredNY]

This weekend I was replacing a hall light fixture in my old home (rewired circa 1980/90's) and noticed the work was done using one of the exposed ground wires as one of the switch leg/loop travelers on a 3-way. Obviously, this is completely wrong and a fire hazard, so I decided to try to rework the mess, and ended up with a big headache.

Here's my question - can you help with this wiring puzzle?

Is it possible to wire this configuration with only two 12-2 between the two ceiling fixtures? I believe it takes five wires (not four) and that's why wiring was done improperly using a ground wire.

Here's a summary of the circuit (see attached picture):

• Two ceiling boxes (1A + 1B) controlled by two 3-way switches (1A + 1B).
• Power enters the ceiling box 1B with 12-2 cable
• Switch 1A is connected Ceiling Box 1A with 14-3 cable
• Switch 1B is connected Ceiling Box 1B with 14-3 cable
• Ceiling box 1A and 1B are connected with two 12-2 cables
• Ceiling box 1A also houses two additional 12-2 cables to power another ceiling fixture #2 with a single pole switch #2 loop.

So the issue is uninterrupted power needs to travel from Ceiling box 1B to Ceiling Box 1A in order to feed Ceiling fixtures #2. AND, the 3-way switch travelers need to also pass between ceiling boxes 1A and 1B to control both fixtures 1A and 1B.

See attached photo.

Am I missing something, is there another way to wire the circuit? I believe I'm one wire short between ceiling box 1A and 1B -- 5 wires are required not 4.

My backup plan is to simply replace the 3-way switches with single poles switch loops and control lights 1A and 1B separate. But, before I go this route, I thought I would see if anyone can solve this wiring puzzle.

Thank you in advance.
-NNMarkView attachment 110240

This weekend I was replacing a hall light fixture in my old home (rewired circa 1980/90's) and noticed the work was done using one of the exposed ground wires as one of the switch leg/loop travelers on a 3-way. Obviously, this is completely wrong and a fire hazard, so I decided to try to rework the mess, and ended up with a big headache.

Here's my question - can you help with this wiring puzzle?

Is it possible to wire this configuration with only two 12-2 between the two ceiling fixtures? I believe it takes five wires (not four) and that's why wiring was done improperly using a ground wire.

Here's a summary of the circuit (see attached picture):

• Two ceiling boxes (1A + 1B) controlled by two 3-way switches (1A + 1B).
• Power enters the ceiling box 1B with 12-2 cable
• Switch 1A is connected Ceiling Box 1A with 14-3 cable
• Switch 1B is connected Ceiling Box 1B with 14-3 cable
• Ceiling box 1A and 1B are connected with two 12-2 cables
• Ceiling box 1A also houses two additional 12-2 cables to power another ceiling fixture #2 with a single pole switch #2 loop.

So the issue is uninterrupted power needs to travel from Ceiling box 1B to Ceiling Box 1A in order to feed Ceiling fixtures #2. AND, the 3-way switch travelers need to also pass between ceiling boxes 1A and 1B to control both fixtures 1A and 1B.

See attached photo.

Am I missing something, is there another way to wire the circuit? I believe I'm one wire short between ceiling box 1A and 1B -- 5 wires are required not 4.

My backup plan is to simply replace the 3-way switches with single poles switch loops and control lights 1A and 1B separate. But, before I go this route, I thought I would see if anyone can solve this wiring puzzle.

Thank you in advance.
-NNMarkView attachment 110240

Hopefully you've sorted this by now, but for future readers I'll respond anyway. There is no way to properly operate this unless as you suggested, a 3-wire cable replaces the 2-wire cable between light 1A and light 1B. You would have to have a hot, a neutral, 2 travelers, and a switched leg. (Grounds not counted.) That's 5 conductors, and you have only 4.