3 Way Switch guru needed.

You've miswired it. Hint: Switch #1 Common terminal has the wrong wire on it. The common terminal will be a different color or tone than the other two. It will not necessarily be in the same position as the common terminal on the old switch. Since switch #2 apparently *doesn't* kill the light independently of switch#1 position, switch#2 is wired correctly.

hvacrmedic

Reply to
RP
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Ah, nice plan. Easier than the method I posted (although it involves working with hot wires, which some people don't want to do and other's shouldn't do ;)

-Tim

Reply to
Tim Fischer

Easier method is to move the wire on switch#1 common to one of the traveler terminals. If nothing changes, repeat this with the wire on the other traveler terminal. Switch #2 is ok.

hvacrmedic

Reply to
RP

I just installed a pair of regular 3-way switches to control a ceiling fixture between them. They replaced a pair of X-10 3-ways which had worked but were no longer needed. The expected 3 wires came into each box; red, black and white. The red wires were connected to the common terminals on each switch, and the black and whites to the other 2 terminals; which ones to which terminal shouldn't make any difference according to the instructions.

Problem now is that switch #1 has to be used to turn on the light and then switch #2 can turn it on and off, but if switch #1 is used to turn the light off, switch #2 won't turn it on.

Anyone got any ideas what's wrong?

Reply to
Martin

Specific colors mean nothing. Start from scratch. Remove switches from both ends and separate the wires. One wire of one end only will be hot. It is the common for that switch. Connect it to the switch and the two travelers as well for that switch. Now go to the other location. One wire will be hot. It is a traveler for that location. Now go back to the first location and flip the switch. Now check the two remaining wires at the second location. One is now hot. It is your second traveler for that switch and the last wire is the common

Reply to
RBM

Ah but there is. Were it miswired he would have discovered that when he turned off the light with #2 he would not have been able to turn it on with #1. He took pains to find that the reverse was true, so we can assume that he tried it this way too. Draw out the circuit with both switches miswired, and then with one switch miswired. Try every switch position combination. Which matches his report? BTW, I'm an electrician, I've had a few dealings with 3-ways :)

A miswired 3-way switch will in one position be able to kill the light independently of the position of the other switch's toggle. In that position, because the switch is miswired, the travelers are made together by the switch, the (what was supposed to be common wire) is wired to the wrong terminal. No matter where the other switch is positioned or how it is wired it will not be able to send power to the light fixture because the line is permanently open at the other switch. If this argument applies equally to both switches, then both are miswired. HTH.

hvacrmedic

Reply to
RP

There is nothing in the OP's post to indicate that switch #2 is wired correctly

Reply to
RBM

Thanks for the wake up call. The *X10* slid right by me. It's been awhile since I did house wiring.

OP ignore my other posts, they apply to standard three way wiring circuits. Yours can be rewired, probably at the fixture, but it won't work as is.

hvacrmedic

Reply to
RP

You would need to give us far more info before anyone can "wire" it correctly over the net.

You do realize that X10 is totally different when it comes to 3 way wiring than regular switches.

X10 is masters and slaves where the slave just "shorts out" a feeder and only needs two wires.

But there are X10 compatible switches that use the neutral.

but your regular 3 ways will need a different wiring configuration.

AMUN

Reply to
Amun

SNIIPPED> > but your regular 3 ways will need a different wiring configuration.

don't feel bad. I've seen professional electricians that have years of experience, that look at any type of home automation stuff, and are totally baffled. And they are right in front of it, not guessing from a usenet post

Get's really fun when someone has a problem with their bedroom light going off or on, everytime they turn on the kitchen microwave.

Or if neighbors use the same system.

AMUN

Reply to
Amun

Thanks all for the suggestions. I understand now where the problem is and how it has to be corrected.

I was led astray by the instructions in the package. They implied that the wire colors for that kind of hookup were standard. I guess the guy who did the original job 40 years ago didn't know that.

Reply to
Martin

The instructions were wrong -- no such standards (that I know of). There's quite a few different ways to wire up one of these, depending on where the light is and where the power comes into the circuit, as well as what type wire/cabling is being used.

-Tim

Reply to
Tim Fischer

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