California 3 way wiring

[Cavierr_]

Was working a small retrofit job the other day, just your typical swap out for a lighting control setup in an older house. I'm tracing wires, thinking I've got it all figured out when I notice something weird about the 3 way switch wiring, it didn't match the textbook layout I was expecting so I start digging, and crazily, I come across this term I hadn't heard before: California 3 way. At first, I honestly thought it was some electrician's inside joke or maybe a new burger from In N Out. But no, turns out it's a real wiring method that's apparently more common on the west coast and from what I've gathered, it's a setup that avoids running a neutral to the switch box and can make troubleshooting… fun I guess
I dont knowif anyone here has come across this wiring method before, like is this just California being extra with code, or is there actually a benefit in practice?

 

[prestigious-iceberg77]

Was working a small retrofit job the other day, just your typical swap out for a lighting control setup in an older house. I'm tracing wires, thinking I've got it all figured out when I notice something weird about the 3 way switch wiring, it didn't match the textbook layout I was expecting so I start digging, and crazily, I come across this term I hadn't heard before: California 3 way. At first, I honestly thought it was some electrician's inside joke or maybe a new burger from In N Out. But no, turns out it's a real wiring method that's apparently more common on the west coast and from what I've gathered, it's a setup that avoids running a neutral to the switch box and can make troubleshooting… fun I guess
I dont knowif anyone here has come across this wiring method before, like is this just California being extra with code, or is there actually a benefit in practice?

Like finding out your burger has extra secret sauce The setup can save a wire and make installation easier but troubleshooting it later can be a headache. West Coast electricians must love keeping things interesting.

 

[Ground3dGuy]

I once came across a California 3-way setup while working on a house remodel, and it really caught me off guard. It's essentially a method to manage switched and unswitched hot connections at both switches without needing a neutral wire, which is common in older installations on the West Coast.

That said, it did complicate things when I tried to add a smart switch. Are you thinking about upgrading the controls, or are you just planning to do a straightforward swap?

 

[PGB1]

is common in older installations on the West Coast.

We even find California, which we call "Coast", waaaay over here in Michigan.
It was popular in old factories, along with the rather dangerous Carter. Carter is more commonly found. (I've seen it a lot on farms for some reason.)