Wiring help need wiring diagram for 3 way switch with two lights each octagon box with two 3 wire n 1 2 wire?
-
I have recently had issues with one of my lights. The previous owner in my home left at least two of the wires unprotected, causing arcing and burning the wires till they are black and brittle. I crawled up to the attic, and replaced the wires from about a foot back, and extended fresh wires into the box, My issue is, I could not see the colours of the wires (they all looked black from the box) and in a stupid slip I didn't cut the old wire to see the proper colours and their connections. From what I know, the two lights are on a three way switch. The two light switches have one 3 wire going in to each of them, and one of the switches looks like it has a 2 wire power coming into it. One of the lights has two 3 wires and one 2 wire going into it. and looks wired properly for the light (based on a wiring diagram for fixture between two three way switches power through switch ( http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch-option4.htm)). The box in question also has two 3 wire and one 2 wire going into it. I have looked at all wiring diagrams, and cant find find the exact diagram. From what I recorded before replacing the wire the wires going in two 3 wire and 1 2 wire, The first 3 wire branched out, two of the wires going to the other 3 wire, one to the 2 wire. the other two wires (one from the 2 wire and the other 3 wire were just cut and left apart. My issue is that I need to figure out the most likely wiring diagram for the one box in question. Any help would be awesome. Thanks, Robbie
-
Answer:
go to your local library check out a book on 3 way wiring
Robbie S at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source
Other answers
There are too many ways this could go, so my suggestion is to go to this site which has illustrations and three different possible wiring diagrams. It is a site for regular folks about wiring a three way switch: not a technical heavy site: http://www.electrical-online.com/3wayswitch/
Smokey da Bear
Okay Robbie, stay close. I'll try to take you step by step. 3-way switches are used when you want to turn on and off a light (or fan) from one of two locations. There will always be two junction boxes in the wall: one for each switch. Each actual switch will have three active connections: NO (normally open), NC (normally closed) and C (common). Remember these connections. You must get them right. You will also usually have a ground connection to the switch. There will be a 2-conductor cable (plus ground) coming into each junction box. One cable goes to the load (light, fan, etc.), and the cable in the other box goes to line (breaker). You can determine which is the line by resetting the breaker for that circuit, and checking the black wire in each box with a voltage tester. The one that gives you an indication comes from your breaker. The black-white-copper cable in the other junction box should go to your load. Connecting the two junction boxes will be 14-3 cable (3-conductor, #14 AWG) cable. One wire will be white, one red, and one black. Trip the breaker for this circuit before starting. Starting with either junction box, wire the black from the 2-conductor cable to the C (common) terminal on the 3-way switch. Wire the black and red of the 3-conductor cable to the NO (normally open) and NC (normally closed) terminals of the switch. It really doesn't matter which one goes where. Wire nut the two white wires together and of course, connect the copper wires to the ground screw on the switch or to the junction box. Repeat this process on the other junction box. Wire it in the same manner as the first. That's it. You should now be able to control the load from either switch. That's all there is to it. A word of caution. It is possible for your house or that circuit to be wired incorrectly. Black must be hot (120 volts), white must be neutral (0 volts) and copper must be ground (0 volts). Make all your measurements to ground. The hot (black) wire is the only one that should ever be switched in a residential circuit for safety reasons.
Ronald Greene
Start over in the attic. Install a connection box or replace the wire back to another box. Then you know the wire colors are correct. After that make the needed modifications to the wiring as needed. Any other solution is temporary and very dangerous. No splice should be made except in an approved junction box.
Jim W
Related Q & A:
- What is the difference between 2-way and 3-way car speakers?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- Need help with wiring speakers to amp?Best solution by mademan.com
- Is there any way to connect USB in computers to Playstation 1/2/3's controller?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- Should I upgrade to OS 3.1.2?Best solution by answers.yahoo.com
- How do you multiple 1 2/3 by 3 1/8?Best solution by themathpage.com
Just Added Q & A:
- How many active mobile subscribers are there in China?Best solution by Quora
- How to find the right vacation?Best solution by bookit.com
- How To Make Your Own Primer?Best solution by thekrazycouponlady.com
- How do you get the domain & range?Best solution by ChaCha
- How do you open pop up blockers?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.
-
Got an issue and looking for advice?
-
Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.
-
Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.
Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.