3-Way Switch Wiring Question

bhpizza

Hi everybody. Our kitchen is set up so that it has 2 lights, one above the sink and another above the dining table. They are wired to 2 different switches. We decided to take out the light above the table in favor of a fan but now we have another problem. If we want to run the fan we also have to have the light above the sink on since they are wired together. I'm assuming that each switch has a set of wires that goes to each fixture. Is it possible to just remove one of the sets of wires from each switch so that one switch operates the fan and the other switch operates the light? Also, to do this will we need to get 2-way switches to replace the current 3-way switches we have? Below is a rough diagram of how I think the system is wired. Basically, I want to cap off the wiring in between so that switch 1 only operates the light and switch 2 only operates the fan. Thanks in advance for all of your help guys.

RippySkippy

Of the four objects in your post, where does the electric enter the scene? With that small nugget, I'm sure we can get you going.

frenchelectrican

Sorry i hate to crash in your plans but it will not work this way at all unless you tell me where the power is comming in and how the wires goes at the switches not only on the switches itself but other connections as well

to order do that you have to shut off the power for this lumiaire[s] then unscrew the switches but DO NOT remove any wire for now you will understand why in a min once you remove the switch from the wall and count or tell us how many wires there on the switch currently now and once you tell us the switch is then go to the lumiaires [ light fixures ] and look at the connections there how it hook up.

it may have switch loop there or few other combations as well so i need to know which way it ran and also from lumiaire to lumiaire is the wire is " parallel " which it mean black to black and white to white on both fixures ??

is any way you can get above this in the attic if not let us know

and what you say 2 way switch that term we dont used in North America at all it more used by European system here the 2 way is actally a single pole switch and you make a crossover line between the switch and lumiaire and fan which that will not work this way because if this home was older home and someone did change the wireing over the time

Normallay the Kitchen sink light useally have it own switch to the above sink lumiaire and other one is above centre of the Kitchen that useally have it own switch unless you have two location that you need to turn it on and off like example you have entrance door in kitchen then go thru either dinning room or living room it common to put in 3 way switches but if the kitchen dont have any " opening " just one location then you only need one switch

if you have more question please do post it in this forum

Merci , Marc

Dansbell

When you installed the fan light combination in the dining room did you do any rewiring to the switches? Before you started the project, could you turn only one of the lights on or did they come on together when you flipped one switch? Could you turn the lights on and off from different sides of the room?

My impression of what you are describing is that you had a 3 way switch on either side of the room that controlled both lights. There are several ways this could have been wired. If you could provide a photo, drawing, or explanation of the wires in each of the 4 boxes I am sure someone here can help you find a solution. If both lights were controlled together you may be able to use an X10 device to control them separately.

__________________
Daniel S. Bell
Belbuilt, LLC
Cabinet Installation Medford, Oregon

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joed

You probably can't do what you want without pulling new cables. The only way to be sure is to open each switch and light and tell all the cables in each box and how they are connected. Even then is is probably not possible.