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help with 3 way switch

1K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  hammerlane 
#1 ·
I have a light in my kitchen that I decided to change the switches to new. I thought I put the wires in the same place on the new switch but my problem is the light only now turns on from one switch and does nothing when the switch on the other side of the room is switched on or off. one switch has a red.black and white wire while the other switch has a black wire and two white wires so even though the switch has one darker connector the two white wires and one black are confusing to me. hopefully someone has the answer.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Did you change both switches?

Also Look at this thread:

http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/3-way-switch-wiring-help-132891/index2/

or this thread

http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/switch-crossed-turn-one-different-one-goes-off-132299/index2/

You might have to post photos. You'll need an understanding on how a 3-way functions because you are going to have to identify which wire is your always HOT wire and which wire connects to the load(in your case the light).

Below is a crude drawing. Note on your 3-way switches that one terminal is black. This is called the common terminal. 2 terminals are brass colored. These are called the travelers.

Power will go to the common of switch #1, the common of switch #2 will connect to the load. The remaining travellers on each switch need to connect to each other. Does not matter which traveller on switch #1 connects to which traveller on switch #2.
 

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