[vamtb1226]

Should be simple, but got two different answers at HD.

I have a upstairs hall ceiling light with three different wall switches. One at the bottom of the stairs, one right when you get to the top of stairs and one just outside the master bedroom.

When using just the ones at the bottom of the stairs and the one near the master bedroom - No Problem. Either/or will turn the light off and on.

If I attempt to use the one at the top of the stairs (which is basically in the middle of the other two), it will turn the light off if it is on, but then the other switches are rendered useless. I am guessing this switch is the issue and is not the right type. Is that the correct assumption or am I missing something. Thank you

 

[Jim Port]

It could be a mis-wired switch. A traveler could be on the common terminal.

 

[joed]

Did it ever work correctly? Is this a new install?

 

[vamtb1226]

This is not original. Previous owner did it. I was thinking the "middle" switch is wrong. They all look identical when I have pulled each out.

 

[AllanJ]

"They all look identical ..."

Something is wrong. With three switch locations one of the switches (electrically in the middle but not guaranteed to physically be in the middle) must be a "4 way" switch with 4 terminals, usually two of them stained a darker color.

The two travelers from one cable go on the dark screws and the two travelers from the other cable go on the bright screws. (If you don't have two incoming 3 wire cables then something else is wrong.)

The other two switch locations have regular 3 way switches.

 

[mikegp]

Does the switch in question say on/off on it? Assuming it's one you flip up/down.

 

[vamtb1226]

Mikegp - these are switches that flip up and down. None of the three have On and Off on them. Some switches in the house do, but not all.

 

[FrodoOne]

Should be simple, but got two different answers at HD.

I have a upstairs hall ceiling light with three different wall switches. One at the bottom of the stairs, one right when you get to the top of stairs and one just outside the master bedroom.

When using just the ones at the bottom of the stairs and the one near the master bedroom - No Problem. Either/or will turn the light off and on.

If I attempt to use the one at the top of the stairs (which is basically in the middle of the other two), it will turn the light off if it is on, but then the other switches are rendered useless. I am guessing this switch is the issue and is not the right type. Is that the correct assumption or am I missing something. Thank you

There have been other answers to recent similar questions on this site as to the "physical" way in which such multi-way switches should be connected.
Unfortunately, I regret that I cannot now locate these references.

However, for a circuit explanation, may I suggest that you read and examine the diagrams in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching

The switches at each end of such a multiway switching circuit need only be Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switches, which, in North America, are called "Three Way" switches, because they have three terminals. (Although they are actually only "Two Way" switches).

All other intermediate switches are "Intermediate" switches (called "Four Way" switches in North America - because they have four terminals.)

These Intermediate switches are actually Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) switches which have been internally modified by the manufacturer for this purpose - as explained in the Wikipedia reference.

If the correct Intermediate switch has been installed it may have been connected wrongly. If so, and while this is a little difficult to explain in words, if you look at the diagrams in http://www.electricaltechnology.org/2012/11/what-is-intermediate-switch-its.html you should see that all that may be necessary is to reverse the connection of the two wires shown as connecting to the two lower terminals of the Intermediate switch.

 

[joed]

There are many different way to wire a four way setup. The power can come into any one of the switches or the fixture. The fixture can connect to any one of the switches. There can any combination these two setup you can think of.

This site has drawings of most of them.

http://www.wiringdoneright.com/4way/

 

[vamtb1226]

Thanks everyone for your time. I will be digging into this later this week. All the info was great.

 

[MrElectricianTV]

Should be simple, but got two different answers at HD.

I have a upstairs hall ceiling light with three different wall switches. One at the bottom of the stairs, one right when you get to the top of stairs and one just outside the master bedroom.

When using just the ones at the bottom of the stairs and the one near the master bedroom - No Problem. Either/or will turn the light off and on.

If I attempt to use the one at the top of the stairs (which is basically in the middle of the other two), it will turn the light off if it is on, but then the other switches are rendered useless. I am guessing this switch is the issue and is not the right type. Is that the correct assumption or am I missing something. Thank you

I have seen this happen a few times in customers homes. The problem was always a bad four way switch. Take the four way switch out and splice the travelers together to confirm that the three ways are working properly.

 

[WyrTwister]

If the switch in question has 4 wires , 4 terminals / screws , this can be made to work .

If the previous owner used a 3 way switch and 3 wire cable , it is not going to work as is .

Photos , please .

Remember , take digital photos , for your own benefit , before you take any wires loose .

God bless
Wyr

 

[vamtb1226]

Replaced the switch that should have been the 4 way switch. I talked one of my neighbors with same exact home into letting me pull her outlet covers prior following all this advice. Thank you all. I greatly appreciate the help.