three way switch problem

[stinky673]

i am wiring a three way circuit for a basement fixture to be controlled from upstairs and down. I replaced the single pole switch at the top of the stairs with a three way switch (#1), put a three way at the bottom of the stairs (#2) and ran 14/3 wire between them. #1 switch is in a box that has a 3 way switch already from a completely different circuit. I pigtailed the hot wire from that switch to #1 hot. I connected the travelers to #1 and used the white wires that were pigtailed in the box from the other switch,to connect the white wire from the 14/3 through to my new fixture. Switch #1 and2 work perfectly, but now the other switch also turns the light in the basement off when # 1 is on. what did i do?

[sdyver]

[RBM]

As already stated, I think you connected the new set of three ways to an already switched leg of the other circuit. You may not have a "feed" from that other circuit in that box. Why not use the existing feed that was on the single pole switch previously?

[buffalobill]

[Terry]

Did you do this drawing? The red/white would look more accurate if it were white/yellow. And the red/black should be red/yellow.

Interesting drawing. With graphics you can have more information of what is going on.

I wish I someone would come up with a 3D graphic explanation of how magnetic fields interact.

[stinky673]

i replaced the existing feed with the 14/3, thinking i could use the power from the other switch that was in the box. thanks for the help, i will try your suggestions and get back to you.

[stinky673]

mark you were right. i didn't tap off the true hot wire. I simply switched the black wires and it worked. Its hard to tell what is what with that old cloth covered wiring! thanks for the help!