Three Way

The light, or electrical load, is controlled from two locations. Usually the top and bottom of a staircase, or two entrances to a hallway. By code, in Canada, hallways and stairwells must be controlled by three way switches. It can be dangerous to be walking up or down a dark stairwell searching for a light switch at the opposite end.

The question, or puzzled look, we get is why are they called three way switches when the light is controlled from two locations? Why isn’t it a two way?

The term three way refers to the construction of the switch, not what it does. There are three terminals or connection points on a three way switch.  “Common”. Two  “travellers”. The bond/ground and the neutral are independent of any switching, or at least they should be! Sometimes we find neutral wires which are switched. A dangerous situation which is prohibited in the electrical code because of the increased danger of electrocution to service technicians.

Four Way

A four way switch is needed when the light, or electrical load, is controlled from more than two locations. Generally a hallway with three entrances. Kitchens as well with more than two entry points.

In theory, and also bending a few physics laws, you could have an infinite number of switches to control a light fixture. Just keep adding four way switches between two three way switches. The “travellers” from the three way switches connect on either side of the four way switch.

Two way switch? Five way switch? They don’t exist. Just three way and four way switches.

A common call we get from customers is when their three way switches don’t work. 90% of the time a “handyman” has been doing electrical work in the house. The travellers and common have been improperly connected during a switch change. In this case, it is a quick diagnosis and repair by one of our technicians.

There’s been widespread interest in LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology for a number of years. Originally the LED’s were a bluish, weak light which even though it used less electricity, produced little heat and lasted for a very long time, just wasn’t a useful light source. Recently the cost and functionality of LED’s has got to the point where they’re now being commonly used in many applications. There is a lot of demand for LED products and now affordable products are coming to market quickly.

We have a small travel trailer and after our first camping trip last season and worrying about light’s being left on and batteries dying I found some replacement LED bulbs and installed them for our second trip. No worries about leaving lights on now. Just have to find a solution for the 12V water pump now. I’ll keep you posted. One of our service technicians who has a background in electronics has converted his 18V flashlight to an LED flashlight. Our 18V rechargeable flashlights are used all the time as our electricians are frequently dispatched to sites where a customer has no power and no lights. Usually the flashlight with a fully charged battery has about a 45 minute life with a bright powerful light. Then the light gets dimmer and dimmer as the battery runs down. The LED converted flashlight will shine brightly for about 30 hours.

As electrical contractors, our main interest in LED’s is for lighting applications.  Compared to a standard 60W tungsten filament light bulb, the lifespan of an LED equivalent is 2500-5000% longer and the energy use is about .04%. Mainly because of the drastically reduced energy use BC Hydro has been offering significant rebates to customers over the past few years. For example, if you replace your standard exit sign, which is on 24 hrs a day 365 days a year, with an LED exit sign BC Hydro will give you a $55 rebate.

We now use LED low voltage puck lights for all of our undercabinet lighting. Exterior flood and security lighting, service stations, traffic lights, automotive brake and signal lights and of course, exit signs are all other areas where LED’s are becoming the standard choice.

They are still more expensive to purchase than standard lights. But when factors such as maintenance and energy use are taken into account they will pay for themselves over a 1-2 year time frame. However, be cautious with LED specification information. At a recent lighting workshop I attended sponsored by BC Hydro we were told that LED lighting is not measured in a consistent way compared to other lighting types. Maintenance and repair is a significant part of the work we do and installing a product which will reduce that may not be in our best interests, short term. But we will always recommend a product which we feel is the best one for our clients.

Contact us at http://www.pacificstarelectric.ca/index.htm for more information

All electrical work, with some small exceptions, requires a permit whether done by a contractor or a homeowner. An electrical permit gives permission or authorization in writing to perform work regulated by the BC Safety Authority. Contractors must obtain permits and submit an  Electrical Contractor Authorization as the work progresses and upon completion of the installation.

An electrical permit is not required for:

1) The replacement of defective fuses, receptacles, switches or lamps with identical types and ratings.

2) Emergency work



Who Can Take Out an Electrical Permit?

The person or company doing the work takes out the electrical permit. If you hire someone to do the work, they must obtain the permit. If you're doing the work yourself, you need to obtain the permit and must reside in the  fully detached single-family dwelling.

A fully detached single family dwelling means any of the following if occupied or intended by the owner to be occupied as a permanent residence:


1) Any detached building containing only one dwelling unit;

2) A manufactured home as defined in the Manufactured Home Act;

3) A recreational vehicle


Hiring an Electrical Contractor

If you’re re-wiring your home or doing renovations that require new or altered electrical systems, the best way to proceed is to hire a qualified electrical contractor licensed with the BC Safety Authority.

All licensed contractors are, or employ, electricians who are certified Field Safety Representatives (FSR).  An FSR is the person who will be responsible for the permit issued to the contractor, with the class of the FSR determining the scope of work the contractor is allowed to perform.  

All FSRs have demonstrated to the BC Safety Authority that they have the necessary qualifications – and passed a written exam administered by us – before being issued a Field Safety Representative Certificate of Qualification. This allows them to install, maintain, operate and repair electrical products.


Areas of the Lower Mainland

Dependng on the area you live there are different requirements for obtaining a permit.

In Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District, West Vancouver, Maple Ridge the municipalities themselves issue permits and do the inspections. They inspect 100% of the work.

In the remaining municipalities, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford, Mission, Whiterock, New Westminster, Richmond, Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner the province issues the electrical permit and does the inspection. 25% of the work is inspected.

Permit Form Here

permit form.pdf (2.42 mb)

For more information or to request a free estimate click here:

www.pacificstarelectric.ca

A is single phase power. Household use, safer, less efficient.

B is three phase power. Commercial/Industrial use, 73% more efficient, more expensive to install, motors last longer, speed control is better.

The horizonal line in the center is zero/off/no power. As you can see, in single phase, power output drops to zero then to full then back again. Three phase power never falls to zero. It only falls to 73% of full.

Three phase power is not allowed for household use. The highly efficient overlapping power band is dangerous. If someone grips a cable energized by three phase it is very difficult to let go. Short circuits are more dangerous.

For more information or to request a free estimate click here:

www.pacificstarelectric.ca

Why Use Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting offers a clean, streamlined look. It can increase the amount of light in a room, highlight artwork or other special features, and open up spaces so they look and feel bigger. Recessed lighting, if done correctly, wil increase the livability and value of your home or office.

When to Use Recessed Lighting

Though recessed fixtures are most easily installed between ceiling joists of new building or major renovation projects, there are recessed fixtures are designed specifically for retrofit applications, they install through holes made to accommodate wiring.The fixtures you choose must be rated for use near insulation (IC rated) whenever ceiling insulation is present.

Where to Place Recessed Lighting Fixtures


The common rule is that 4-inch fixtures should generally be placed at least 4 feet apart 5-inch fixtures about 5 feet apart and 6-inch fixtures about 6 feet apart. Kitchens and bathrooms will need more fixtures. You want to make sure that you have adequate amount of light. Dimmers are a great idea to control the light level and mood in a room.

Center recessed lighting fixtures in front of the objects you wish to light – a painting, bookshelf, or drapery panels, for example – and about 12 to 18 inches in front of that object. The light should generally highlight the object at about 30 deg.

Recessed lights used for reading or task lighting should be carefully placed overhead so your head and shoulders will not block needed light.

When lighting a three-dimensional object such as a fireplace, sculpture, or flower arrangement with recessed lighting, it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles.

Use wall-wash or directional recessed lighting fixtures around the perimeter of a small room to help “push” the walls out and make the space feel larger, or aim them at a collection of artwork or photographs to call attention to the display.

Install recessed lighting fixtures (puck lights) in the bottom of your kitchen cabinets. The light will wash your counter top with focused light.

Recessed lights have 2 parts. The housing and the trim. The housing is the part that you never see, it is recessd into the ceiling. The trim is the piece that is installed into the housing and fits flush with the ceiling.

Many different trims are available: all white, white with black baffle, chrome, brushed nickel, adjustable, etc. Make sure you have an idea what type of trims you would like before installing the housings as each housing has only certain types of trims that are compatible.

Make sure that the existing circuit is not overloaded.
Dimmers are generally rated for 600 watts, 1000 watt dimmers are available. Make sure to get a dimmer rated for low voltage if installing low voltage recessed lights, you must also know whether the transformer is magnetic or electronic.

If you would like any more information or  would like to schedule a free estimate to look at installing recessed lighting visit our website at:  http://www.pacificstarelectric.ca or call us at 604-463-6695