Problems with Three way switch wiring

 HI,

I hate to be the dummy here, but I'm having some
problems with the wiring.

I'm changing some electrical switches.  I have
a three way combo that is giving me problems.
Not only that, but the wires at each switch
are different.

I expect that the light is in between the
two switches.  


On the first side, there are:
- two red wires
- a white wire
- a bare wire


On the second side, there are:
- a red wire
- a white wire
- a black wire
- a green wire

The new switches do not resemble the old ones,
and don't ask how they were wired, because I don't
know now, since I've DCed (disconnected) them.

I DCed the first side, and rewired it.  I tested
it, ensuring that it worked.  It did.

On that first switch, the two red wires are now on the
same side of the switch.  One is attached to the black
screw, the other to the brass one.  
The white wire is on the other side, attached to
the lone brass screw.
The bare wire is connected to ground.  


I tried connecting the other switch.  However,
the only way that it would work, would be if I
turned both switches on.  I tried a few different
ways, but no luck.

Since it did work before, I'm sure that I just
have to connect the second switch correctly.  
What is the secret?  What lines up with what?

I'm sorry to bother you, but the only wiring
diagrams that I can find on the web, only show
a single red wire.

BTW the bare / green wire, is ALWAYS attached to
the green screw, correct?

Thanks a lot

  condor_222@yahoo.com (Roger Redford) wrote:

You probably don't have the right kind of switches, then.

Wiring up three-way switches is not rocket science, but it's hard to diagnose
your problem from over here.

The best advice I can give you is to get yourself a book on residential wiring
(try Lowe's, Home Depot, or your local library) and *don't* mess around with
your wiring any more until you read the book and understand what you're doing.

Electricity is *dangerous* to the uninformed. And you are in that category.
Fortunately, that's an easy problem to fix. :-)

 
It would be helpful for you to understand what is going on.
Take a look at how 3-way switches are wired and match up
your wires with the figure shown at this website.

http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_index.asp?page_id5693932

Your one black wire is probably the "hot" side coming in from the
power company. So your "second side" is switch 1 in the diagram.

You can buy an inexpensive AC tester light to verify the
wires.

Don

 Here is an update.

As I mentioned, I changed the first switch, and
things worked.  Then, I changed the second switch,
and things did not.  I have gone through all
six possible combinations.  Results follow.

Wiring for Switch one.  I've labelled the holes
for the switches 1, 2, and 3.  The wiring for
the first switch did not change.  

white (1)      |  |   red  (2)
                  |
                  |   red  (3)



Switch 2, wire / position

Red    Black   White   Result

1      2       3       Nothing at all
1      3       2       Both required
2      1       3       Nothing at all
2      3       1       Both required
3      1       2       Nothing at all
3      2       1       Both required

Both required means that if I turn both
switches, on, the lights will go on.  

I'm sure that this is just a case of exchanging
wires, on the first switch.  This I did when I
moved into the house a few years ago, and fixed
another 3 way system.  

What is the secret please?

NOte:  Yes I did get a book on wiring.  But none
of them have two red wires, and zero black wires.




condor_222@yahoo.com (Roger Redford) wrote in message

 

Forget the colors, use the diagram on the web page
someone posted, use an AC neon screwdriver if the
diagram alone isnt enough.

It aint rocket science, tho you'd be amazed
at howit can throw even electricians.