Three Way Light Switch Not Working Properly

From the first 3 way switch through a 3 wire cable the two travelers from the first switch are connected to the travelers on the second switch through the black and the red wires.

Three way light switch not working properly.

3 way circuits can be a formidable opponent. When a white wire is attached to a 3 way switch a tester may not read the power because of the position of the other 3 way switch. 3 way light switch problem 1. In this scenario the light will turn on only when both switches are trying to power the same in this case the upper traveler leg.

The third wire is the common wire that feeds the light fixture and is connected to the black screw on the switch. When your three way light isn t working and you have ruled out problems with the bulb outlet cord and plug replacing the three way switch can be done quite inexpensively by any relatively handy. Existing 3 way switches. Using a continuity tester check continuity between the common black terminal and each of the traveler terminals brass colored of each 3 way switch.

That s just not the way it s supposed to be is it. There are many ways that a three way switch can be wired but usually power or the light fixture connect to the load side of the switch and traveler wires run between traveler screws on both switches. My dad has a light switch that will not work in his dining room. Remove the two 3 way switches so you can access the switch terminals the wire connections do not have to be removed.

The dang 3 way switch isn t working. Touch the probes to the 3 wires removed from the switch until you get a reading on the tester indicating continuity. How to wire a 3 way switch video. These are the runners of the circuit.

Often they can be found at either end of a hallway. In your description i only hear about 2 wires per switch as i tried to show in the diagram. Our dining room light is controlled by two 3way switches. Countless homes across the country are plagued by miswired 3 way circuits causing not only inconvenience but a.

Test a 3 way switchturn off power to the switches at the circuit breaker and using a tester make sure power is off. They may be at the bottom and the top of stairways. You need 2 traveler wires for a 3 way switch to work properly. 3way light switch wiring electrical question.

Virtually every house has at least one set of three way switches. If one breaks or you wish to replace them with more decorative switches you can often confuse the wires. Scott first gives an explanation of the three way switch two switches that control one light fixture. One has a black white red wire and the other has a black white red wire and another wire with a black and white wire.

So to turn the light on she carefully negotiates the stairs to the top and flips on the switch.