Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Three Way Switch Help needed
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chellweg
07-06-09, 04:33 PM
I have the following setup, and cannot get it to work properly and really do not want to run new wire. I have seven lights being hooked up.
It is currently wired as:
Breaker Box to First 3-way switch with 12-2 wire
12-3 wire from first switch to 1st light and 12-3 between all lights and 12-3 from last light to second switch. No matter how I wire, it either trips breaker or some go one some go off. Each light has the red wire nutted together all the way between switched and the white and black go to the white and black at each light. I have tried every combination of switch hookup I can find, with no success.
HELP!
:madhell:
It is currently wired as:
Breaker Box to First 3-way switch with 12-2 wire
12-3 wire from first switch to 1st light and 12-3 between all lights and 12-3 from last light to second switch. No matter how I wire, it either trips breaker or some go one some go off. Each light has the red wire nutted together all the way between switched and the white and black go to the white and black at each light. I have tried every combination of switch hookup I can find, with no success.
HELP!
:madhell:
Tolyn Ironhand
07-07-09, 04:46 AM
I'm sorry to tell you but your setup is not going to work. :(
Here's how you fix it:
Run a 12/3 between your two 3 ways.
In the first switch box connect your hot from the panel to the common screw. Connect the black and red of the 12/3 you just ran to the traveler screws (brass) Connect the whites together. You can remove the 12/3 from the first switch box and the first light if you wish.
In the 2nd switch box connect the travelers of the 12/3 you ran to the brass screws. Connect the black going to the lights to the common screw. Connect the whites together. The red will not be used.
Connect grounds as normal.
Here's how you fix it:
Run a 12/3 between your two 3 ways.
In the first switch box connect your hot from the panel to the common screw. Connect the black and red of the 12/3 you just ran to the traveler screws (brass) Connect the whites together. You can remove the 12/3 from the first switch box and the first light if you wish.
In the 2nd switch box connect the travelers of the 12/3 you ran to the brass screws. Connect the black going to the lights to the common screw. Connect the whites together. The red will not be used.
Connect grounds as normal.