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Electrical Wiring

3 Way Switch Problem

14 years ago

I have a switch by the laundry room/garage entry in the kitchen that turns the main overhead light on and off. I want to change it to a 3 way with another switch by the living room entry.

There is only one 12/2 cable going into the switch box from above (switch loop?). There are no other wires. Any video or diagram I have seen on 3 way switch wiring involves a separate power source coming in and wiring to the light going out.

From being in the attic and nosing around, it seems that all the kitchen wiring is hubbed at the main overhead light junction box.

Can I still install a 3 way switch? Without messing around up in the attic with that hub of wiring? That part of the attic is, for all intents and purposes, inaccessable to me.

This is a remodel and the walls are open but the ceiling is not.

Thanks for any help.

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Comments (7)

wirenut1110
14 years ago
It may be doable however, the best advice I can give you is for you to check out this wiring diagram and see what you'll need to do to make it happen.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
normel
14 years ago
You either need to find a way to get a 12/3 cable between the two switches or use a wireless remote switch.
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The white of a **/3 cable can most certainly be used as a traveler. It should be remarked with tape or marker to signify it is hot, however. Ruger: my guess is you have a bad switch. If your description is accurate, things apear to be wired correctly. When you replace the switch(es) make sure you wire the new ones exactly the same as the old.
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From the 2nd switch you only need two conductors, a hot and a neutral, going to the light. The hot will come from the "common" terminal on the switch. No reason to replace the cable, just leave the 3rd wire disconnected. Whomever wired it to begin with probably either had extra 14/3 around, or wanted flexibility, for example to power a fan and a light separately.
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Wiring diagram seems ok if it's as you say. Cause could be that one of the switches has an internal stuck contact between a 'common' and a 'traveler'. To confirm, first shut off the power. Disconnect both travelers at one of the switches. With an ohmmeter, see if the connection between common and each traveler can be switched off. If both can be shut off, check the other switch (don't have to undo it because it's undone at the other end.) The one with a line that can't be shut off is a bad switch.
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Comments (9)
Before tinkering with the socket, don't just turn the switch off, open the breaker too. That way, if some idiot has wired the wall switch in the neutral side, you won't get zapped. Come to think of it, I'm not so sure I'm comfortable encouraging homeowners to test live circuits. It's risky. You need to know what you're doing, and to have a healthy respect for electricity. Seems to me it's safer to just go ahead and replace any suspect sockets. You can get replacements at a good hardware store.
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joed
14 years ago
All you need is a 12/3 cable from the existing switch box to the new switch box. Should not be a problem since the walls are open.

Do not mess with any wiring at the fixture. Only the two wires on the old switch need to be used.

Take one of the wires from the old switch and connect to black in new cable.
Take other wire and connect to COMMON screw of new 3 way switch.
Take red and white from new cable and connect to two remaining traveler screws on new 3 way.

At new switch.
Connect black to the COMMON screw.
Connect red and white from to two remaining traveler screws on new 3 way.

Connect all grounds together and to green ground screws on switches.

This is what you will be creating.

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/3-way/3-way-wiring-power-fixture.php
nuckphoto
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for everyone's replies.

And much thanks joed for the diagram and description. Just what I was looking for.
nuckphoto
Original Author
14 years ago
I have wired up the two switches as above, but one thing bothers me; When I test (using a two prong w/light tester) the connection wires that will eventually be connected to the light, the tester light glows bright with switches one way, but also glows dimly with the switches the other way.

Is that supposed to happen?
joed
14 years ago
Just hook up the light and try it. You are getting false readings fromthe voltage on the traveler wires.
tonyfm
14 years ago
Check out this diagram for 3 way switch with the power being in the light

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Wire Your Own House

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