Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Trouble Wiring My Recessed Lights on 3way
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 : Trouble Wiring My Recessed Lights on 3way
jrs77
07-30-07, 01:06 PM
I've been following a few of the threads on here that are closely related to my project. I'm installing 4, 6" IC Recessed and attempting to wire them on a 3way. I'm just going to explain closely my situation.
I've been trying to follow the option of Power-S1=S2-L1-L2-L3-L4. I opted to use 12/2 indicated by "-" and 12/3 indicated by "=" instead of 14/2 & 14/3 because I had enough extra around the house to use instead. I'm hoping this is fine. My wiring is laid out like the diagram, I'm really just looking on flaws in my hook-ups. I running only these lights from a 20amp circuit breaker, at S1 I have the 12/2 in and the 12/3 out all grounds together pigtailed to the ground screw, blacks together and pigtailed to the common screw, whites together and pigtailed to a traveler screw, and red to the other traveler screw. Same hook-ups at S2 except 12/3 in and 12/2 out to L1. At all fixtures (12/2 between fixtures) all grounds together, all blacks together, and all whites together.
When I flipped on the breaker it sparked and S1 switch looks like it sparked too. I'm not sure of my misfortune and hope that someone can pinpoint my problem to me. If more information about my situation is needed please ask any questions that may help in tracking down the problem. Thanks!
I've been trying to follow the option of Power-S1=S2-L1-L2-L3-L4. I opted to use 12/2 indicated by "-" and 12/3 indicated by "=" instead of 14/2 & 14/3 because I had enough extra around the house to use instead. I'm hoping this is fine. My wiring is laid out like the diagram, I'm really just looking on flaws in my hook-ups. I running only these lights from a 20amp circuit breaker, at S1 I have the 12/2 in and the 12/3 out all grounds together pigtailed to the ground screw, blacks together and pigtailed to the common screw, whites together and pigtailed to a traveler screw, and red to the other traveler screw. Same hook-ups at S2 except 12/3 in and 12/2 out to L1. At all fixtures (12/2 between fixtures) all grounds together, all blacks together, and all whites together.
When I flipped on the breaker it sparked and S1 switch looks like it sparked too. I'm not sure of my misfortune and hope that someone can pinpoint my problem to me. If more information about my situation is needed please ask any questions that may help in tracking down the problem. Thanks!
John Nelson
07-30-07, 01:13 PM
You said, "at S1 I have the 12/2 in and the 12/3 out all grounds together pigtailed to the ground screw, blacks together and pigtailed to the common screw, whites together and pigtailed to a traveler screw, and red to the other traveler screw."
This is completely 100% wrong. Where did you get this from?
Here's how it should be, at both switches.
12/2 black to the common screw.
12/2 white to 12/3 white (and not to the switch).
12/3 black to one traveler.
12/3 red to the other traveler.
Both grounds pigtailed to the green screw.
This is completely 100% wrong. Where did you get this from?
Here's how it should be, at both switches.
12/2 black to the common screw.
12/2 white to 12/3 white (and not to the switch).
12/3 black to one traveler.
12/3 red to the other traveler.
Both grounds pigtailed to the green screw.
french277V
07-30-07, 10:15 PM
what you did the connection of the 3 way switch wrong what John Nelson describing is the same thing i will put a link it will show the picture how it connected in correct way
http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/3way/
this will help you get the idea how it hook up in clear way
but note that photo when you hook up the lights make sure you hook up in parallel like white to white and black to black all the lights follow the photo very carefully you will understand why
Merci , Marc
http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/3way/
this will help you get the idea how it hook up in clear way
but note that photo when you hook up the lights make sure you hook up in parallel like white to white and black to black all the lights follow the photo very carefully you will understand why
Merci , Marc
jrs77
07-31-07, 03:25 PM
Thanks for the help guys! New lighting looks great! I guess I've still got alot to learn about electrical hook-ups! I'm still here though and the house is still standing, so I guess I'm good for now. If I have any more questions about anything I'll be sure to come here to find out what I need to know. What a great site! Again, I really appreciate all your help and I know my wife does, as well!