I had fun reading the other 3 way mess ... glad I am not alone.
Here is my situation...
Just bought an old property that needs work. The prior owner had started to do some electrical work on a stairway with two lights (top and bottom) controlled by two three way switches.
When I put in new bulbs, I got no light, so I opened the switch boxes and found a mess. I had to snake a new feeder up from the basement to replace the cut one I found.
The rest of the wiring is old but appears in good shape. My issue is how to figure out how to wire the second switch. The wires are not color coded (old type with black and cloth wrap) so it is difficult to trace.
What I get right now is that I can use the first switch (box with the feeder line) and get both lights to turn off and on. I guessed at wiring up the second switch but guessed wrong. Right now, when I flip it, nothing happens...the lights do not go on or off. Also, there is a 2 wire cable going into the first box that was not terminated on either wire .. wondering if it was somehow part of the circuit? Anway,
Do I have a traveling wire switched with the switch-to-light wire on the second switch? Or is it something else?
Thanking everyone in advance as I have had nothing but good advice from this site!!
Here is my situation...
Just bought an old property that needs work. The prior owner had started to do some electrical work on a stairway with two lights (top and bottom) controlled by two three way switches.
When I put in new bulbs, I got no light, so I opened the switch boxes and found a mess. I had to snake a new feeder up from the basement to replace the cut one I found.
The rest of the wiring is old but appears in good shape. My issue is how to figure out how to wire the second switch. The wires are not color coded (old type with black and cloth wrap) so it is difficult to trace.
What I get right now is that I can use the first switch (box with the feeder line) and get both lights to turn off and on. I guessed at wiring up the second switch but guessed wrong. Right now, when I flip it, nothing happens...the lights do not go on or off. Also, there is a 2 wire cable going into the first box that was not terminated on either wire .. wondering if it was somehow part of the circuit? Anway,
Do I have a traveling wire switched with the switch-to-light wire on the second switch? Or is it something else?
Thanking everyone in advance as I have had nothing but good advice from this site!!