Help with a 3-way switch

As my first employer would say, "Hook it up 'till it works right."
This will work if you know which three wires to use in each box. If you don't have a tester, it might even be the fastest

Arrow3030 said:

As my first employer would say, "Hook it up 'till it works right."
This will work if you know which three wires to use in each box. If you don't have a tester, it might even be the fastest

Click to expand...

That just doesn't sound to safe:smile:

I do have a tester.

iowabowhunter said:

That just doesn't sound to safe:smile:

I do have a tester.

Click to expand...

You already know that the two wires on the SP switch are connected, so there should be a 3rd wire sitting in the box,

the worst that can happen is the light won't turn off, or turn on or it will work.

What color wires are in the box and on the other end?

jbfan said:

You already know that the two wires on the SP switch are connected, so there should be a 3rd wire sitting in the box,

the worst that can happen is the light won't turn off, or turn on or it will work.

What color wires are in the box and on the other end?

Click to expand...

So the 3rd wire in the box. Would that be the "traveler" or "common"?

Probably a traveler.

The third unused wire would be one of the travellers. That means it will only take two tries to get the proper wire on the common.
Is the other three way switch still connected and functioning?

joed said:

The third unused wire would be one of the travellers. That means it will only take two tries to get the proper wire on the common.
Is the other three way switch still connected and functioning?

Click to expand...

Yes it is

Put the unused traveller wire on one of the traveller screws. Put the two wires from the old switch on the other two screws.
Test the switches and see it functions properly. If not then switch the two wires from the old switch. Test it again.

iowabowhunter said:

That just doesn't sound to safe:smile:

I do have a tester.

Click to expand...

since you have a tester, this should work. check the 2 wires that are on the single pole switch. when the switch is off (light out) one wire will have power. that wire goes on the common screw (usually dark colored) of the 3 way. the other 2 are the travelers.

edit, I can see a condition where this may not be the case.

That only works if the power comes into the switch in question. If power comes into the other switch then that is not true.
Just hook it up and try it. It can not cause a problem if the other switch is wired properly.

You will not trip the circuit.

Just try the 3 wires in different combinations on the 3 terminals of the new switch. If it's not correct, working with a partner at the other switch, turning on and off in random turns will determine the correct wire locations when the switch functions properly.