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Are two light switches required for a long hallway?
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
The National Electrical Code requires at least one switched light fixture in a residential hallway [NEC 210.70(2)(1)]. There is no code standard for two switches on a long hallway. One electrician we know mentioned that he had heard that a second switch was required for hallways 10-feet and longer, but we suspect he was confusing it with another NEC requirement for at least one wall receptacle at hallways 10-feet or longer.
Although not required, a switch at each end of a long hallway on a three-way circuit is a sensible thing to do. Also see our articles What is a three-way switch? and What is the code minimum height for a hallway ceiling? and What is the minimum width of a hallway? and How many electrical receptacle outlets are required in a hallway?
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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about ELECTRICAL SWITCHES:
• What is minimum code requirement for switched lighting in a house?
• How can I figure out what a mystery wall switch does?
• Are wall light switches required be "up" for "on" and "down" for "off”?
• Can you use a light switch for a water heater disconnect?
• Why is there a wall switch next to the furnace or indoor unit of the air conditioner in the garage?
• What is the switch on the wall with two pushbuttons?
• What are those strange looking wall switches in houses from the 1950s and 1960s?
• Are light switches required to be grounded?
• Why does the bedroom have a light switch but there is no light in the ceiling?
• How does a three-way switch work?
• Which rooms in a house require switched lights per code?
• What is a three-way switch used for?
• What is the average life expectancy of a wall switch?
• What is the red switch for in my mobile home?
• Does a home inspector test all the wall switches in a house?
• When are dimmer switches not allowed to be used?
• Does a light switch have to be in the same room as lights?
• What is a keyless light fixture or lampholder?
Visit our ELECTRICAL SWITCHES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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