Converting 3-way switch to single pole

4330 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by seharper, Apr 16, 2020

Jay2019

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2020

I have a 3-way switch that I would like to convert to a single pole switch so I can install a smart switch.

Switch 1 is never used and I would like to cover it up with a wall plate so it can’t be used. Switch 2 is the switch where I would like to install a single pole smart switch. It is beside a second switch (switch 3) that controls a different light. I have labeled the switches in the pictures below.

Switch 1 has 3 wires (red, white, black)

Switch 2 has a red and white wire and a black wire that also goes to switch 3

I didn’t take any pictures of switch 3 because that switch controls a different light and I don't want to change that.

I did not draw the neutral wires or the ground wires in my diagram as those are straight forward. I just need to know which wires connect to the two black live wires when I install the the smart switch.

Can anyone give detailed instructions on what I need to do? Thanks.

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rjniles

· #2 · Apr 9, 2020

At switch 1 remove the switch and connect the red and black together with a wire nut. Cap the white with a wire nut. At switch 2 cap the white with a wire nut. Connect the line wire of you new switch to 2 black wires. Connect the load wire to the red.

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Jay2019

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 9, 2020

Thank you for the quick reply. Just so I'm sure I understand correctly I drew another diagram below showing how the Smart switch will be wired at Switch 2. The Smart switch has two black cables labelled "LIVE/LOAD". Is this how I should do it?
I didn't draw in the ground and neutral wires to keep it simple. Thanks

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joed

· #4 · Apr 9, 2020

Your smart switch needs a neutral. They should be in the back of the box.
Switch 2.
Where is the black wire from the cable with the red and white. It should be connected to another black wire. That other black wire will be the LOAD connection for your smart switch.
The black looped on switch 2 is the LINE(HOT) wire for your smart switch.
There should be a bundle of white wires in the box. That will be your neutral connection for the smart switch.
All three wire from the red, black white cable are not required.Cap them together and push into back of both boxes.

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RAL238

· #5 · Apr 9, 2020

You're smart switch requires a neutral wire. From your diagram, it doesn't look like a neutral is present in the box for switch2. Though it looks like there might be some other wires in the back of the box in the photo.

If you don't have a neutral it isn't going to work, unless you can figure out a way to get a neutral there. It might be possible to repurpose the white wire if that cable runs up to the junction box for the light rather than straight to the other switch.

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Jay2019

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 9, 2020

I realize the smart switch requires a neutral wire. There are neutral wires in the box, however, I did not draw them or take pictures of them to keep it simple. My main question is the connections to the two black wires coming out of the Smart switch labelled "LIVE/LOAD". Is the second drawing correct?

I will connect the neutral wires, but I did not include them in the photos. I also did not draw in the ground wire. Thanks

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joed

· #7 · Apr 9, 2020

It could be correct. It depends what you do at the other switch.

Did you find the black that comes from the the three wire cable?

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Jay2019

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 9, 2020

joed said:
It could be correct. It depends what you do at the other switch.

Did you find the black that comes from the the three wire cable?

I hooked it up like I drew the second picture and it seems to work fine. I'm not sure which extra black wire you're referring to. I've drawn all of the wires that are present in the diagram with the exception of the neutral wires and ground wires.

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seharper

· #9 · Apr 9, 2020

Jay what they're talking about is that somewhere in the back of the box there'll be a black wire joined to a black with a wire nut. You don't need to worry about it though; there's no need to disturb it. This is a done deal.

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Jay2019

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 9, 2020

seharper said:
Jay what they're talking about is that somewhere in the back of the box there'll be a black wire joined to a black with a wire nut. You don't need to worry about it though; there's no need to disturb it. This is a done deal.

Okay now I understand what you are talking about. In the very back of the box there are two black wires joined together with a wire nut. They were never connected to anything. Unless what I have done is unsafe I'm going to use it as I have connected as everything is working fine. Thanks for your help.

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seharper

· #11 · Apr 16, 2020

Jay2019 said:
Okay now I understand what you are talking about. In the very back of the box there are two black wires joined together with a wire nut. They were never connected to anything.

They are connected to each other

That throws a lot of people, those wires that only connect to each other, actually have very important jobs.

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