We have several 3 way switches but have only replaced the two in our kitchen so far. When wiring a 3 way light switch youll need to find the common wire and connect it to the.
3 Way Switch Troubleshooting Electrical Diy Chatroom Home
Troubleshooting a 3 way light switch. At the first 3 way switch the black wire that leads up to the light fixture is connected to the black wire of the 3 wire cable. Used the musical chairs method and tested. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker remove the 3 wires from each of the switches and make sure that none. Locate a bad 3 way switch toggle each switch until the light come on. Toggle the other switch to see if it turns the light on and off. So we have replaced all the single pole switches in the house.
Grounding the 3way switches the ground wires are all bonded together and one of the ground wires is attached to the ground screw found on each 3 way switch frame. After disconnecting all the wires from the switches and from the switched outlet s turn the power on and test the wiring at the outlet. If it does it is. In this step you will be turning the power back on do not touch any of the wires previously removed with. Common problems with 3way switches and how to fix them. Toggle one switch to see if it turns the light on and off.
In this case the traveler wire and load wire were swapped and. If it does it is a good switch and the other is bad. Scott first gives an explanation of the three way switch two switches that control one light fixture. If you have a split outlet follow the same 3 way switch troubleshooting as with a light fixture except you will need to determine which outlet is always on. Installing a 3 way switch. Switch 1 would control the light as long as switch 2 was turned on.
How to troubleshoot an improperly wired 3 way switch step 1. Identifying the travelers at each switch is done by finding the continuous hot wire at one switch and then discovering the wire at the other switch that goes to the light fixture. Youll also need to locate the ground wire and connect it to the switch too. The two travelers are in the same cable with each other. Remember three things while doing 3 way switch troubleshooting. Replaced switch 1 and 2 and wired in exactly like old switches.
Its not as simple as you think finding the common wire. One of the wires in the two three way switches is always hot assuming the circuit breaker is on. There are many ways that a three way switch can be wired but usually power or the light fixture connect to the load. Any pair of switch screws or dimmers wires that are the same color as each other are for a traveler pair.
Gallery of Troubleshooting A 3 Way Light Switch
