Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Help needed for 3 way switch.

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.




View Full Version : Help needed for 3 way switch.


honestzed
09-05-05, 01:44 PM
I am trying to fix an existing 3-way lighting problem which existed in the house that I recently bought. 1 switch bascially acted as the "master switch", where as if it was off, the other switch would not work at all. If the master switch was on, then the other switch could be used to turn the lights on and off.

I am certainly not an electrician by any means, but know more than enough to know what to do correctly and to code. (Although my terminology might be off a little).

Here is my set up with everything disconnected:

(I have omitted references to ground (green) wires for simplification)

Box 1 contains:
- White linked to a white leading to Light-I and to Box 2
- Switch A:
--- has a black leading to Light-I and then out to Box 2;
--- red leading to Box 2

Box 2 contains:
- a red, black and white coming in from Box 1
- a black and white coming in from power source.
- a black and white coming from Light-2
- a black, white and red coming from Box 3

Box 3 contains:
- Switch B:
--- red, black and white going to Box 2

Hope all of that seems clear. Any idea on how it should be properly wired?


joed
09-05-05, 05:45 PM
Which box actually contains the switches and the light?
Which wire is currently connected to the common screw on each switch?