3-way Switch Problem

1266 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by eddj, Dec 16, 2012

eddj

Discussion Starter · Dec 15, 2012 (Edited)

When I recently installed a 3-way dimmer I somehow messed up the wiring. I initially wired up the switches as shown on the attached diagram. Nothing.

When I swap the two travelers on switch F the lights go on, but I can only turn the lights off and on from one of the switches. Another words if I turn the lights off at Switch E I can't turn them on at switch F.

I have tired swapping around the wires on both switches but can't seem to find the right combination to get the switches to operate properly. I also reinstalled the prior non dimmer 3-way but have the same problem so no issue with the dimmer, I think.

Thanks for any help.

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Missouri Bound

· #2 · Dec 15, 2012

3 way switch
Does this help? Look carefully at the terminal designation on the switches....believe it or not not all 3 ways are wired the same.

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Wildie

· #3 · Dec 16, 2012

As Missouri stated make sure you have connected to the proper terminals. The power feed and the hot to the lights must be connected to the identified terminal. It doesn't matter how the travelers are connected, as long as they are not connected to the identified terminal.
Your wiring appears to be correct.

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joed

· #4 · Dec 16, 2012

The drawing is correct. You have mis-identified the common screw. In your drawing it is the upper left screw on both switches. The common is not in the same place on all brands of switches. It is usually identified as black in colour.

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hammerlane

· #5 · Dec 16, 2012 (Edited)

Drawing looks familiar. Both wires pointed to in green need to be attached to the common terminal of the 3-way switches. As others have said...the common terminal is usually a different coler than the travelers. Can you post a picture of your switches??

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eddj

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 16, 2012

hammerlane said:
Drawing looks familiar. Both wires pointed to in green need to be attached to the common terminal of the 3-way switches. As others have said...the common terminal is usually a different coler than the travelers. Can you post a picture of your switches??

SUCCESS!:clap: Thanks so much.

On my switches the common terminal is copper colored (compared to brass on the other terminals.) Once I connected the wires you indicated to the common terminal everything worked as it should.

Yes, the drawing is yours from a prior post. Thanks again for your extremely clear guidance.:thumbsup:

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3-way Switch Problem

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