Unknown switch, what is it for?

DanBress · 11-12-2007, 06:35 PM

I just purchased a home, and at the top and bottom of my stairs there are two sets of light switches. There are also two sets of lights(one at the top, and one at the bottom)

from the bottom:
one switch controls the bottom light, and the other controls the top light.

from the top:
one switch controls the top light, and the other switch does nothing. I assumed the broken top switch controlled the bottom light as well.

I opened up the box and found a switch with 3 connections. I used my DMM to test for voltage across all three wires and found none. I turned off the circuit, and removed the switch and still found no voltage across the wires. More so, the both sets of switches still operate properly without the broken switch or the wires being connected. What is an easy way of finding where these wires go/what they control short of digging through the walls and tracing them?

joed · 11-12-2007, 06:58 PM

Check the switch at the bottom. Some one probably replaced and didn't connect it properly. Or maybe on purpose disabled the upper switch.

Andy in ATL · 11-12-2007, 07:12 PM

Don't work nothing hot! you seem pretty smart. Do you know how to check continuity with that Meter?

Joed may well be on the right track. Patience. you just bought the house so you got time.

Post back and we will figure out what you've got.

DanBress · 11-12-2007, 07:31 PM

I think i know how to use the multimeter...

anywho, i just opened up the downstairs panel and see that the switch that should control a shared light only has two poles wired. Actually one pole has two wires connected to it. Now i gotta figure out how to put this back together.

any ideas there?

goose134 · 11-12-2007, 09:28 PM

This is where your continuity meter comes in. Unless the wires are in pipe. Sounds like two travelers landed under load side of single pole. Are you familiar with how to hook up a 3 way switch? Describe wire colors and it may help.

Speedy Petey · 11-12-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBress

any ideas there?

Yeah. You should have kept track of what wires went where.

11-12-2007, 06:35 PM	#1
DanBress Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 71	Unknown switch, what is it for? I just purchased a home, and at the top and bottom of my stairs there are two sets of light switches. There are also two sets of lights(one at the top, and one at the bottom) from the bottom: one switch controls the bottom light, and the other controls the top light. from the top: one switch controls the top light, and the other switch does nothing. I assumed the broken top switch controlled the bottom light as well. I opened up the box and found a switch with 3 connections. I used my DMM to test for voltage across all three wires and found none. I turned off the circuit, and removed the switch and still found no voltage across the wires. More so, the both sets of switches still operate properly without the broken switch or the wires being connected. What is an easy way of finding where these wires go/what they control short of digging through the walls and tracing them?

11-12-2007, 06:58 PM	#2
joed Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 6,102	Unknown switch, what is it for? Check the switch at the bottom. Some one probably replaced and didn't connect it properly. Or maybe on purpose disabled the upper switch.

11-12-2007, 07:12 PM	#3
Andy in ATL Electrician philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 838	Unknown switch, what is it for? Don't work nothing hot! you seem pretty smart. Do you know how to check continuity with that Meter? Joed may well be on the right track. Patience. you just bought the house so you got time. Post back and we will figure out what you've got.

11-12-2007, 07:31 PM	#4
DanBress Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 71	Unknown switch, what is it for? I think i know how to use the multimeter... anywho, i just opened up the downstairs panel and see that the switch that should control a shared light only has two poles wired. Actually one pole has two wires connected to it. Now i gotta figure out how to put this back together. any ideas there?

11-12-2007, 09:28 PM	#5
goose134 Union Electrician Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 615	Unknown switch, what is it for? This is where your continuity meter comes in. Unless the wires are in pipe. Sounds like two travelers landed under load side of single pole. Are you familiar with how to hook up a 3 way switch? Describe wire colors and it may help.

Unknown switch, what is it for?