Electrical Help

Shane361 · 03-30-2013, 05:46 PM

Quick question for you electrical types. My hallway light has two switches and if you use the first one the other will not work at all. I guess the second one is in series. How do I get the switches to work regardless of each other?

Mike · 03-30-2013, 05:59 PM

I'm no expert (I really don't know shit about electical), but I have changed a few switches recently in my house. The lights like you are describing all had 3-way switches. Maybe one of your switches isn't a 3-way

DIGGLER · 03-30-2013, 06:37 PM

you need a pair of switches made to use a "tracer" wire or whatever its called. there will be 3 wires on each switch. there will be the romex as well as a blue wire on its own. should be able to do a google search on hooking it up.

Carlrx7 · 03-30-2013, 07:20 PM

i have the same issue but with three switchs, beggining, middle and end of hallway. too lazy to try and figure it out.

gearmesh, inc. · 03-30-2013, 09:02 PM

A 3 way switch is basically a single pole/double throw switch. A 3 way switch will not have an on/off indication, as it can pass current in either position. One of the three screws will be a common, and is usually darker in color than the other two. The other two can only be switched to the common one at a time, determined by the lever position. If you want 2 place control of a light or outlet, you need two 3 way switches.

For 3 or more place control for electrical devices in your McMansion, you need a 4 way switch in the circuit between your end two 3 way switches. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals on it. One state of a 4 way switch connects the side terminals to each other for a 2 pole straight through connection. The other state connects each individual side terminal to the opposite one diagonally across from it. You can also think of it as a reversing switch. For more than 3 place control, you can put as many 4 way switches in the circuit between your end two 3 way switches.

03-30-2013, 05:46 PM	#1
Shane361 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Creek Posts: 2,622	Electrical Help Quick question for you electrical types. My hallway light has two switches and if you use the first one the other will not work at all. I guess the second one is in series. How do I get the switches to work regardless of each other? __________________ 2015 Comp Orange Procharged GT Mustang 2018 Grey Ford F150 XLT Sport 4x4

03-30-2013, 07:20 PM	#4
Carlrx7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ladson,SC Posts: 3,813	i have the same issue but with three switchs, beggining, middle and end of hallway. too lazy to try and figure it out. __________________ Dark Aladdin

03-30-2013, 09:02 PM	#5
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	A 3 way switch is basically a single pole/double throw switch. A 3 way switch will not have an on/off indication, as it can pass current in either position. One of the three screws will be a common, and is usually darker in color than the other two. The other two can only be switched to the common one at a time, determined by the lever position. If you want 2 place control of a light or outlet, you need two 3 way switches. For 3 or more place control for electrical devices in your McMansion, you need a 4 way switch in the circuit between your end two 3 way switches. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals on it. One state of a 4 way switch connects the side terminals to each other for a 2 pole straight through connection. The other state connects each individual side terminal to the opposite one diagonally across from it. You can also think of it as a reversing switch. For more than 3 place control, you can put as many 4 way switches in the circuit between your end two 3 way switches. __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

03-30-2013, 05:59 PM	#2
Mike Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Goose Creek, SC Posts: 5,481	I'm no expert (I really don't know shit about electical), but I have changed a few switches recently in my house. The lights like you are describing all had 3-way switches. Maybe one of your switches isn't a 3-way

03-30-2013, 06:37 PM	#3
DIGGLER Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,458	you need a pair of switches made to use a "tracer" wire or whatever its called. there will be 3 wires on each switch. there will be the romex as well as a blue wire on its own. should be able to do a google search on hooking it up.