3-Way dimmer question

[Todd Michaud]

All, I have been searching, but have been unable to find out the answer to my problem. I am trying to replace a 3-way dimmer switch with a

3-way toggle switch. (For some reason every switch in our new house was a dimmer, which is quite annoying.)

I have discovered that two of the leads are hot. One (black lead) was controlled by the lighting circuit breaker, and the other (red lead) by another breaker.

If it helps, this is a two switch box. The old connectivity was a single black lead that was connected to both switch's black connectors, each of the old switches had a two red connectors that were connected to red and black leads each.

Black---------------/----------Red-------(Switch1) Red (HOT)-----------/----------Red-------(Switch1) --------Black-------(Switch1) Black (HOT)--------< --------Black-------(Switch2) Black---------------/----------Red-------(Switch2) Red (HOT?)----------/----------Red-------(Switch2)

How do I hook up my new 3-way toggle?

Thanks, Todd

[Joseph Meehan]

Keep in mind that some three way dimmers are not wired the same as a standard three way switch. They may also be paired to a special switch, not a standard three way, so you may need to replace both switches.

I suggest you get a pair of three way switches, test each wire to determine where they are going and wire the two new switches based on the wiring diagram that will come with the new switches.

Be very careful playing with those wires.