There should be continuity between the common terminal and only one of the traveler terminals. Troubleshooting a 3 way switch is easy with a multimeter.
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3 way switch troubleshooting multimeter. There are only three possible ways to connect the wires and one of the three shown in. If you find the second traveler shows continuity with the toggle in one direction and not the other the switch is probably functioning properly. Using a continuity tester check continuity between the common black terminal and each of the traveler terminals brass colored of each 3 way switch. Only one of them will register resistance or if you have a continuity tester will cause a beep. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. Since a 2 switch system has 3 wires to be connected to 3 terminals at each box it works out that only 1 out of 9 possibilities will work.
By by tim carter and tribune content agency. Remove the two 3 way switches so you can access the switch terminalsthe wire connections do not have to be removed. You have identified the common wire for this box. 5 as with the first box connect the common wire to the common terminal on the new switch. Connect the other two wires to. Ask the builder dec 19 2014 at 430 am.
Set the electrical tester to the 120 volt ac alternating current setting. Test a 3 way switchturn off power to the switches at the circuit breaker and using a tester make sure power is off. Troubleshooting three way switches will involve determining whether the switch is bad or not. Do not touch any of the wires previously removed with anything but the meter probes as instructed. 3 way switch troubleshooting diagrams. If the meter shows continuity with the toggle in one direction and not the other move the probe from that traveler terminal to the other one and test again.
Locate the wire which is supplying power to the circuit by touching 1 of the probes to the ground bare or green wire and the other probe to each of the 6 wires one at a time until you get a reading of 120 volts. To test a 3 way switch connect one meter probe to the common terminal and the other to one of the travelers. With a three. If however you dont find any. Set your multimeter to infinite resistance or to continuity. One would be for the power.
How three way switches work. You can use a voltage tester to find out. Use a non contact voltage meter to check and see if you have power to the switch. Touch one of the probes of the multimeter to a known ground such as the metal outlet box or bare ground wire. How to troubleshoot an improperly wired 3 way switch by. Well now ive done it.
A three way switch will always have power at two poles. The simple trick is to rotate the three wires around the switch screws just like kids playing musical chairs. How complicated can 3 way switch troubleshooting be. Flip the switch toggle one way and then the other. Touch the other probe each of the three wires.
Gallery of 3 Way Switch Troubleshooting Multimeter
