Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: Doug B.]
#7228861
03/28/21 08:04 AM
03/28/21 08:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,120 Northern Wisconsin,Rhinelander
Hodagtrapper
Muskrat Master
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Muskrat Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,120
Northern Wisconsin,Rhinelander
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You should have power all the time to the common on one of the switches no matter what position either switch is in. The switch leg going to the lights should be on the common of the other switch. The position of the travelers doesn't matter then. Make sure all neutrals are together and both switches should work if the light fixture is good. If it doesn't work then it could be a switch. It's sometimes hard to tell which switch. Either change one and try the light, or just go ahead and change both switches. Unless one is a dimmer, 3way switches are not expensive. ^^^^^Yep^^^^^ Chris
>>In God we trust<<
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Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: kyron4]
#7229023
03/28/21 11:42 AM
03/28/21 11:42 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,689 S Illinois, former cheesehead
Kelly
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,689
S Illinois, former cheesehead
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You should have power coming into only one switch, not both. So my guess is one of the switches is bad, the one that feeds this 3 way light. It’s bad so is sending power to the other switch but not to the light. Disconnect the switch with multiple 3 wires in the box, then check if there is power at the other switch? If not you found your bad switch and replace it.
Enjoy Mother Nature's Glory, everyday!
Once one opens the mind to the plausible, the unbelievable becomes possible!
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Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: kyron4]
#7229032
03/28/21 11:56 AM
03/28/21 11:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,689 S Illinois, former cheesehead
Kelly
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,689
S Illinois, former cheesehead
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Here is a common way to do this. A 2 wire into switch box provides power. A 3 wire comes out of switch box going to other switch bow. Then a 2 wire from second switch box goes to light. In this scenario you should disconnect the switch in the first box described above. If after doing that you have power coming into that box but none at the other switch then you found your problem, replace the switch you disconnected.
There are other ways to hook up a 3 way light system but this is the most common.
Enjoy Mother Nature's Glory, everyday!
Once one opens the mind to the plausible, the unbelievable becomes possible!
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Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: kyron4]
#7229112
03/28/21 02:04 PM
03/28/21 02:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404 Northeast Oklahoma
Mike in A-town
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
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A meter or non-contact voltage tester is needed. A meter is better.
One of the two switches will have a constant hot in the box... It should be attached to the common screw which is often black colored (not always) but is different from the other two in some way. If you don't have power coming in to one of the boxes to a common screw you have an issue elsewhere.
If you have power to the common screw then you have to see if power is coming out of the first switch on both of the travelers (one at a time depending on the toggle position) and headed to the second switch. If you have power leaving the first switch, check for power coming in on the travelers at the second switch (one at a time depending on the position of the toggle of the first switch). If there is no power then there is a break in one or both travelers between the switches... Not likely but still a possibility.
If you have power coming in on the travelers to the second switch but nothing coming out of the common connection going to the light (depending on toggle position of 2nd switch)... Then the second switch is bad.
If you have power coming in and going out at both switches, your problem is either in the box at the fixture, or the fixture itself. Pull the bulb and look at the base of it... If there is carbon and signs of arcing on the base of the bulb, check the tab down in the socket. Expansion and contraction will weaken the tab and it will end up being pushed to the bottom of the socket and not contacting the bulb base. You can bend the tab back up, BUT MAKE SURE IT ISN'T ENERGIZED BEFORE YOU DO.
If you have power everywhere you should, but nothing works, try a different bulb. If that doesn't work check the neutral connections wherever they are spliced together (you can do this as you go through checking everything else). If your meter shows voltage but it's low or moves up and down, take a good look at all the neutral connections.
This isn't an exhaustive list of things to check but it's a good start.
Mike
One man with a gun may control 100 others who have none.
Vladimir Lenin
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Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: kyron4]
#7229294
03/28/21 06:02 PM
03/28/21 06:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,311 Northern Illinois
huntrap247
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,311
Northern Illinois
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Stab connections are the reason they are now requiring arc fault breakers.
Some people refuse to see the truth when you bludgeon them over the head with it.
Member FTA-17I NTA NRA Patriot life member
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Re: 3 way switch problem ?
[Re: kyron4]
#7229392
03/28/21 07:43 PM
03/28/21 07:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404 Northeast Oklahoma
Mike in A-town
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
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Got it ! Had a loose wire at a stab connection. Went ahead and replaced both switches and used the screw connections. Back to working now. Thanks to all ! Good man. If risk of fire isn't a good enough motivator to get rid of the back stab connections... How about the fact that I've made a pile of money on service calls due to them? It's such a common issue I'm almost ashamed I didn't think of it before anything else. Lol Mike
One man with a gun may control 100 others who have none.
Vladimir Lenin
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