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06-11-2012, 05:08 PM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Trying to change switch in bathroom. Pretty sure I connected wires correctly. One switch works, but the other switch keeps tripping the breaker. The house was built in the 30's, still has original wires. Connected 2 hot wires on right side of switch and 2 wires on left. There is no ground wire inside box. Help before I go crazy!!!
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06-11-2012, 05:32 PM
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#2
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Licensed Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,220
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
The switch you are having trouble with has four terminals?
How many terminals did the switch that came out of there have?
This sounds like a 4way switch you installed and you are shorting the circuit out hot to neutral, but can't be sure unless you answer those questions.
__________________
Location...Location...Location
Answers based on the National Electric Code. Always check local amendments.
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06-11-2012, 05:34 PM
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#3
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,069
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_buz
The switch you are having trouble with has four terminals?
How many terminals did the switch that came out of there have?
This sounds like a 4way switch you installed and you are shorting the circuit out hot to neutral, but can't be sure unless you answer those questions.
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The thing is, He took out two switches, reinstalled two switches... how bad could this be?  must have pinched a wire when reinstalling...
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06-11-2012, 05:40 PM
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#4
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Licensed Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,220
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
We just had a guy on here saying there were 21 (yes, twenty-one) two pole switches in his house.
It sounds to me that he put the neutrals to one side and the hots to the other side of a 4way switch.
__________________
Location...Location...Location
Answers based on the National Electric Code. Always check local amendments.
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06-11-2012, 06:07 PM
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#5
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,069
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_buz
We just had a guy on here saying there were 21 (yes, twenty-one) two pole switches in his house.
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Wow. but believable.
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06-11-2012, 06:09 PM
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#6
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,069
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Quote:
Originally Posted by k_buz
It sounds to me that he put the neutrals to one side and the hots to the other side of a 4way switch.
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After rereading the original post, I think you may be correct.
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06-11-2012, 07:27 PM
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#7
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Average Joe/ex-Navy IC3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Midwest - Central Illinois
Posts: 9,256
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Can you post pictures of said switch and the wiring.
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06-11-2012, 07:39 PM
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#8
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Licensed Electrical Cont.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 6,152
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
I think it is a stack switch.
Thing is, the left side and the right side of the switch means nothing, although most lay people think this is an important description.
Let the guessing game continue.
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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.
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06-11-2012, 07:41 PM
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#9
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Licensed Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,220
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Speedy Petey
I think it is a stack switch.
Thing is, the left side and the right side of the switch means nothing, although most lay people think this is an important description.
Let the guessing game continue.
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Good thought...didn't think of that option.
__________________
Location...Location...Location
Answers based on the National Electric Code. Always check local amendments.
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06-11-2012, 07:46 PM
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#10
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E2 Electrician
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 3,069
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Changing a two switch bathroom outlet
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedy Petey
I think it is a stack switch.
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totally off topic, but best problem I ever found was a circuit that was fed from two different breakers, turned out someone installed a 3way over single pole and never broke out the common tab... that one took some time to find.
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