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Correcting a "misbehaving" 3-way switch
The foyer in my house has two lights about 1/4 away from each end, and
there are two switches at either end. Something like the following: Switch A Light 1 Light 2 Switch B Switches A & B control lights 1 & 2 in the following way: Switch position Result Comment A_up, B_up Both lights on == lights 1 & 2 are in parallel A_down, B_up Both lights off As expected A_up, B_down Both lights off As expected A_down, B_down Both lights OFF THIS IS THE PROBLEM It is the 4th case (A_down, B_Down) that is baffling me. In a regular 3-way switch, the lights should come on. In effect, my 3-way switch behaves like a "2.5-way switch, so to say". I would greatly appreciate your advice and suggestions on the following. Q1. Does this indicate a problem at Switch A? Or Switch B? Both? Q2. Can this be rectified by opening the switch boxes? Q3. I have a tester and have done the following electrical work in the past, without any problems: replace house fuse; replace the outlet box for the 200 V (dryer); extend the power line and add a motion detector light to the outside of the garage. Should I attempt to rectify the 3-way switch myself, or should I pay an electrician? (Seems silly to pay $75, minimum for the visit, to rectify such a simple problem). Thanks a lot. Bhoot Nath |
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In article ,
Kevin McMurtrie wrote: In article .com, wrote: Switch position Result Comment A_up, B_up Both lights on == lights 1 & 2 are in parallel A_down, B_up Both lights off As expected A_up, B_down Both lights off As expected A_down, B_down Both lights OFF THIS IS THE PROBLEM The bottom connection is broken. I recommend buying two new light switches because they're cheap ($1 - $5). Probably a wire came loose from the switch arced away the connector. That is one way. Another option is to replace one switch. If it fixes the problem, great. If not, take the switch that you removed and use that to replace the other switch. If one switch has gone bad, the 2nd one is probably not far behind, so replacing both is a pretty good idea. They are quick to swap out once you get the power turned off (and confirm it is off with a meter). -john- -- ================================================== ==================== John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com ================================================== ==================== |
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On 19 May 2005 21:49:24 -0700, wrote:
The foyer in my house has two lights about 1/4 away from each end, and there are two switches at either end. Something like the following: Switch A Light 1 Light 2 Switch B Switches A & B control lights 1 & 2 in the following way: Switch position Result Comment A_up, B_up Both lights on == lights 1 & 2 are in parallel A_down, B_up Both lights off As expected A_up, B_down Both lights off As expected A_down, B_down Both lights OFF THIS IS THE PROBLEM It is the 4th case (A_down, B_Down) that is baffling me. In a regular 3-way switch, the lights should come on. In effect, my 3-way switch behaves like a "2.5-way switch, so to say". I would greatly appreciate your advice and suggestions on the following. Q1. Does this indicate a problem at Switch A? Or Switch B? Both? Can't tell. Could be either or both. Q2. Can this be rectified by opening the switch boxes? Probably, unless you are missing the third wire (red). Q3. I have a tester and have done the following electrical work in the past, without any problems: replace house fuse; replace the outlet box for the 200 V (dryer); extend the power line and add a motion detector light to the outside of the garage. Should I attempt to rectify the 3-way switch myself, or should I pay an electrician? (Seems silly to pay $75, minimum for the visit, to rectify such a simple problem). You can assess and possibly fix it without pulling wires. You may need to run a wire from one switch to the other. 1. Turn on the lights with both up. 2. Shut off the circuit breaker, the light will go off. You may want a helper to tell you the state of the light as you find the right breaker. 3. Remove the switch plate on one box. 4. Unscrew the switch and gently pull it out. 5. Does it have 3 terminals? 6. Are there 3 wires in the box connected or not? (besides the ground if present) 7. Repeat 3- If there answer to 5 and 6 are yes, you may be able to fix it by checking all connections in this and the other box. If 5 is yes and 6 is no, then you may want to get someone to wire the 3rd wire. Look here for mo http://homerepair.about.com/cs/elect...way_switch.htm BH |
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