I have two switches in my kitchen, one on each side, that each turn on two lights at the same time. What I want to do is change it around so each light is turned on separately but still from both sides of the kitchen. I am assuming I have to add in a switch at both ends. Just unsure of the wiring part.
Electrical – How to convert a 3-way circuit with two lights into two 3-way circuits that control each light separately
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Related Solutions
Since the red wire is already being used for the outlets, you'll need to run a pair of 3 wire cables from the existing switch box to the location in the garage where you want these light switches.
This is what you'll likely have to do:
Here are some other options:
First step is to identify the switch that the power comes in to. The other two switches will just be farther down the line. Disconnect all of those switches and put wire nuts on all of the wires individually. On the first switch, figure out which wires go to the lights and wire nut those to the incoming power wires. Now none of the switches control anything and the lights should just be on.
You can then get something like X10 screw-in adapters for the light fixtures.
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Best Answer
First of all: You will absolutely have to pull new wires for this, and it will involve opening the drywall in several places.
You'll also have to patch the drywall after, and almost certainly repaint each wall you put a hole into. You may be able to get away with painting just a section of the ceiling without it being noticeable, but very rarely can you get away with it on a wall.
Current wiring
What you have now is one of these two wiring variants:
Necessary Changes
You essentially need two separate 3-way circuits (take a look here for different wiring variants: http://www.buildmyowncabin.com/electrical/wire-3-way-switches.html).
Making diagrams for these is not simple, so if you describe or draw your current wiring diagram (or at least post pictures of the wires inside each box) then maybe I can provide some more concrete instructions.