Hi,

I have a big problem i hope someone may be able to help with. This is
a bit complicated, so please bear with me while i explain the layout...

I have a three-way switch that controls three lights (one light is
located downstairs by the entrance, and the other two are just up the
stairs from there...the 2nd floor hallway). The first switch is
upstairs and the second is downstairs. The down stairs switch is
located next to two other switches, each on a different circuit
breaker.

Everything was working fine...until i attempted to install some
dimmers. I had accidentally used the source from a different circuit
for the second three way switch (i connected it to the common of the
2nd switch). Need-less-to-say, when i turned the breaker back
on...BOOM! The main breaker tripped. Ok, so i got a new swtich and
this time correctly installed it (travels to the 2nd switch and common
to light fixture wire). I CONFIRMED that 120V is leaving the 2nd
switch heading towards the downstairs light fixture. The problem is,
now none of the lights work. No current seem to be flowing to the
light bulb. Any ideas what happened here?

-Since i know 120v is being sent from the 2nd switch (via the common),
How can i check continuity between the 2nd switch and the light
fixture?
-Is there a way to send a signal of any kind from the switch node to
the fixture and test if it gets there?
-Also, what is the proper way measure the voltage of light fixture.
this light fixture has a bx cable with whith and black wire. The way i
have been testing using my multi-tester is touching the red probe to
the black wire, and using the fixture itself as the ground. Is that
correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer (i am clearly not an electrician...so
please explain in layman's term).

Interesting topic...

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farseer wrote:
Hi,

I have a big problem i hope someone may be able to help with. This is
a bit complicated, so please bear with me while i explain the layout...

I have a three-way switch that controls three lights (one light is
located downstairs by the entrance, and the other two are just up the
stairs from there...the 2nd floor hallway). The first switch is
upstairs and the second is downstairs. The down stairs switch is
located next to two other switches, each on a different circuit
breaker.

Everything was working fine...until i attempted to install some
dimmers. I had accidentally used the source from a different circuit
for the second three way switch (i connected it to the common of the
2nd switch). Need-less-to-say, when i turned the breaker back
on...BOOM! The main breaker tripped. Ok, so i got a new swtich and
this time correctly installed it (travels to the 2nd switch and common
to light fixture wire). I CONFIRMED that 120V is leaving the 2nd
switch heading towards the downstairs light fixture. The problem is,
now none of the lights work. No current seem to be flowing to the
light bulb. Any ideas what happened here?

-Since i know 120v is being sent from the 2nd switch (via the common),
How can i check continuity between the 2nd switch and the light
fixture?
-Is there a way to send a signal of any kind from the switch node to
the fixture and test if it gets there?
-Also, what is the proper way measure the voltage of light fixture.
this light fixture has a bx cable with whith and black wire. The way i
have been testing using my multi-tester is touching the red probe to
the black wire, and using the fixture itself as the ground. Is that
correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer (i am clearly not an electrician...so
please explain in layman's term).

wrote:

Games I like to play!

.................................................. ...................
No need to play games here?

farseer wrote:
Hi,

Item, (1)
Is there a way to send a signal of any kind from the switch node to
the fixture and test if it gets there?
Suggestion; You clearly understand the idea of the first switch
'sending' the voltage to the second switch. Suggest that as a next step
you make sure it is 'arriving' at the second switch.
Depending in which position is the first switch the voltage will be on
one or the other wires to the second switch. OK so far?

Then depending on the position of the second switch the voltage will or
will not be sent to the light fixture/s. Once you know it's arrived at
the second switch you can figure why/how it's getting, or not getting
to the fixture. Yes there is a way; just rig up a temporary connection
to some source of AC voltage from either a live wire within that switch
box or from an extension cord. that should 'prove' the wiring to light
fixture.

Item (2)
Also, what is the proper way measure the voltage of light fixture.
this light fixture has a bx cable with white and black wire. The way i
have been testing using my multitester is touching the red probe to
the black wire, and using the fixture itself as the ground. Is that
correct?
Suggestion: Good enough, assuming all grounds are OK. You are only
looking for voltage. But many test meters are far too sensitive and can
sometimes give false/misleading readings.
Its often better to use a bulb, either in a holder with a couple of
short leads or even just touching one side of the bulb base to ground
or neutral and the other to the wire you are testing to see if it is
alive.
I used a bulb that way tonight to make sure voltage was arriving a new
switch for some workshop ceiling lights (just touched the base of the
bulb temporarily borrowed from nearby cos i was too lazy to go upstairs
and get a spare), to the wires. It was; the bulb lit. Clearing up later
couldn't figure why the stair light didn't work. I had borrowed that
bulb for testing cos it was easy to reach!

On 25 Nov 2006 19:36:13 -0800, "farseer"
wrote:

Hi,

I have a big problem i hope someone may be able to help with. This is
a bit complicated, so please bear with me while i explain the layout...

I have a three-way switch that controls three lights (one light is
located downstairs by the entrance, and the other two are just up the
stairs from there...the 2nd floor hallway). The first switch is
upstairs and the second is downstairs. The down stairs switch is
located next to two other switches, each on a different circuit
breaker.

Everything was working fine...until i attempted to install some
dimmers. I had accidentally used the source from a different circuit
for the second three way switch (i connected it to the common of the
2nd switch). Need-less-to-say, when i turned the breaker back
on...BOOM! The main breaker tripped. Ok, so i got a new swtich and
this time correctly installed it (travels to the 2nd switch and common
to light fixture wire). I CONFIRMED that 120V is leaving the 2nd
switch heading towards the downstairs light fixture. The problem is,
now none of the lights work. No current seem to be flowing to the
light bulb. Any ideas what happened here?

-Since i know 120v is being sent from the 2nd switch (via the common),
How can i check continuity between the 2nd switch and the light
fixture?
-Is there a way to send a signal of any kind from the switch node to
the fixture and test if it gets there?
-Also, what is the proper way measure the voltage of light fixture.
this light fixture has a bx cable with whith and black wire. The way i
have been testing using my multi-tester is touching the red probe to
the black wire, and using the fixture itself as the ground. Is that
correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer (i am clearly not an electrician...so
please explain in layman's term).

Shut off the power, take a digital or analog test meter and get enough
extra wire to run across the room to the other switch. Set the meter
on OHMS. Put one test lead on the wire by the switch where you are
standing, put the other test lead to the spare wire, and hook that
wire to the switch on the other wall.

On 25 Nov 2006 20:15:57 -0800, wrote:

Interesting topic...

****ing Idiot !!!!

Maybe you want to lose your internet account at Cox Communications
Inc. Keep it up, and you will......

PLONK

On 25 Nov 2006 21:03:46 -0800, "terry"
wrote:


wrote:

Games I like to play!

................................................. ...................
No need to play games here?

You can report this spammer to Cox Communications Inc.

Arin.com Results

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# ARIN WHOIS database, last updated 2006-11-25 19:10

Since 120 is leaving the second switch, it has to be arriving at that
switch (assuming it's from the travellers from the first switch). I
went a head and verified that it is indeed arriving from the
travellers. i was able to do this by toggling the first switch on and
off. when i did this, power alternated between one of those two
travellers, connected to the second switch, which it should.

this then leaves the connection from second switch to the fixtures.
there are three fixtures in series. i don't know which is first. is
it possible that wone of those has a loose connection that was jarred
apart by when the circuit tripped? So you are thinking this is likely
a fixture issure and not the wire itself, correct?

I will try testing the bulb itself like you said. From what i
understand, you are saying i can connect a bulb DIRECTLY to a 120v feed
wire?

thanks fo ryou help.

On Nov 26, 12:25 am, "terry" wrote:
farseer wrote:
Hi,

Item, (1)
Is there a way to send a signal of any kind from the switch node to
the fixture and test if it gets there?Suggestion; You clearly understand the idea of the first switch
'sending' the voltage to the second switch. Suggest that as a next step
you make sure it is 'arriving' at the second switch.
Depending in which position is the first switch the voltage will be on
one or the other wires to the second switch. OK so far?

Then depending on the position of the second switch the voltage will or
will not be sent to the light fixture/s. Once you know it's arrived at
the second switch you can figure why/how it's getting, or not getting
to the fixture. Yes there is a way; just rig up a temporary connection
to some source of AC voltage from either a live wire within that switch
box or from an extension cord. that should 'prove' the wiring to light
fixture.

Item (2)Also, what is the proper way measure the voltage of light fixture.
this light fixture has a bx cable with white and black wire. The way i
have been testing using my multitester is touching the red probe to
the black wire, and using the fixture itself as the ground. Is that
correct?Suggestion: Good enough, assuming all grounds are OK. You are only
looking for voltage. But many test meters are far too sensitive and can
sometimes give false/misleading readings.
Its often better to use a bulb, either in a holder with a couple of
short leads or even just touching one side of the bulb base to ground
or neutral and the other to the wire you are testing to see if it is
alive.
I used a bulb that way tonight to make sure voltage was arriving a new
switch for some workshop ceiling lights (just touched the base of the
bulb temporarily borrowed from nearby cos i was too lazy to go upstairs
and get a spare), to the wires. It was; the bulb lit. Clearing up later
couldn't figure why the stair light didn't work. I had borrowed that
bulb for testing cos it was easy to reach!

I am interested in trying this. but i'm not clear as to what you are
instructing what you are instructing..
Given this diagram:
http://www.the-home-improvement-web....s/wiring1l.jpg

Where should i hook up the extra wire too and where should the leads of
my Multi-meter touch?

thanks much once more.

On Nov 26, 3:59 am, wrote:
Shut off the power, take a digital or analog test meter and get enough
extra wire to run across the room to the other switch. Set the meter
on OHMS. Put one test lead on the wire by the switch where you are
standing, put the other test lead to the spare wire, and hook that
wire to the switch on the other wall.- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -