Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Around The House). This thread is read-only.
I have an entry way light and there are 3 switches that affect it. Though one of them is not hooked up correct. I have done a bunch of research, and I know what my wires are doing… However I cannot seem to find any type of diagram that is the same. I have sketched it out here. Anyone with some electrical advice…
The “P” box is my electrical panel, then it goes with a 3 wire to the light, then 4 wire to switch 1, 4 wire to switch 2, and 4 wire to switch 3. ) Out of the same box as switch 1 comes two other 2 way switches. I believe this is why I have the 4 wire between the entry way light and the first box (that is the one that has me confused)… Anyway I have sketched what I know for sure…. Any help would be hugely appreciated. (I did not sketch Grounds, to avoid the extra lines.)
Here is what is going on with your wires. Ground is not shown. One of those three switches is either the wrong switch or wired incorrectly. My bets are on two.
I agree with stercorarius
good luck with the wiring
So i got curious about this and had to draw out a wiring diagram, Sterco has it right, i just had to clarify a few things in my mind on my own way…
You other light switches can simply be wired in the normal way, i kept them out to simplify things…
[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]..
Common terminals on the 3 way switches are self explanatory, the travelers also.
But if you are unsure about their purpose, take a meter and check continuity and compare it with this diagram, hopefully everything works out!
You guys are AWESOME.
I knew that the other two lights were to be wired normal but there was a n extra red wire coming down from the main light. I think that is for those other two lights to get the neutral back…
Now that I have had lunch I am ready to go for it…
vaultman wrote:
12 minutes ago, vaultman said:You guys are AWESOME.
I knew that the other two lights were to be wired normal but there was a n extra red wire coming down from the main light. I think that is for those other two lights to get the neutral back…
Now that I have had lunch I am ready to go for it…
Happy to help! It made it extremely easy since you already laid out the ground work by actually posting a picture instead of just a description! I love wiring diagrams too, so that helps ha
i like the drawings. good deal!
dont know how to do them, that a special ‘program’?
phffter wrote:
6 minutes ago, phffter said:i like the drawings. good deal!
dont know how to do them, that a special ‘program’?
Haha nah, just whipped it up in paint real quick. I’ve used programs before specifically for wiring diagrams, but this was meant to be a simple drawing…
can not ‘paint’ a straight line in paint if my life depended on it
thank god someone knows electrical, I hate it I hate it I hate it……any time I have done anything electrical ouch…..I have son of a …..shocked myself……I learned long ago when I watched the shop electrician damn near kill himself changing a 600V 3 phase fuse from a box………threw him across the room and burnt his face…..from that day on I let others do any kind of electrical short of changing a light bulb….my brother is an electrician so help… or someone to do it is only a phone call away….
KnarlyCarl wrote:
1 hour ago, KnarlyCarl said:So i got curious about this and had to draw out a wiring diagram, Sterco has it right, i just had to clarify a few things in my mind on my own way…
You other light switches can simply be wired in the normal way, i kept them out to simplify things…
[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]
..
Common terminals on the 3 way switches are self explanatory, the travelers also.
But if you are unsure about their purpose, take a meter and check continuity and compare it with this diagram, hopefully everything works out!
I guess that is also one way of wiring it.
Hahhahhaha oh man that’s funny….no wait that’s not funny at all… ouch
Got it working guys!! Thank you. We have lived in this house for 6+ years and have just always dealt with it not working correctly. My wife thinks I am a genius now. I hope this doesn’t come with any new expectations…
PS My drawing was a sketch, then scan and upload job. I guess I could have done it on my tablet, but I like the old school way better.
Woohoo!!! Glad to hear, yes your wife will most likely assign more similar tasks to your undertaking!!
This is why I’m glad I joined the tia crew it’s like a big ole family always willing to help each other out.
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