Wiring a 3-way switch

[stessier]

I am replacing 2 broken 3-way switches in my house. The way they were wired when they still worked wasn't right because there was a configuration where Switch 1 being off made Switch 2's position always off.

To try and figure it out, I swapped the two non-hot wires (not sure what they are called - just Line?) on Switch 1 and that made it so that Switch 1 worked as expected, but Switch 2 had a position where Switch 1 was always off.

Given wiring diagrams I've seen, it seems like I should be able to use the knowledge I have from those two tests and logic to figure out which wires need to be switched so they perform as expected. But for the life of me, I can't figure it out (and really don't want to spend the time to try all possible combinations).

Anyone have a resource they could point me to or another way to figure it out?

[coopasonic]

Good news: I learned this in high school!
Bad news: It was 33 years ago and I don't remember a damn bit of it.

Good luck!

[stessier]

Hmmm, more reading and I realize I don't know which are the Hot vs. Traveler wires. I'm going to have to figure that out without killing myself.

Edit: Ahhh. Yeah, going to have to try and not kill myself.

[Unagi]

I am replacing 2 broken 3-way switches in my house. The way they were wired when they still worked wasn't right because there was a configuration where Switch 1 being off made Switch 2's position always off.

To try and figure it out, I swapped the two non-hot wires (not sure what they are called - just Line?) on Switch 1 and that made it so that Switch 1 worked as expected, but Switch 2 had a position where Switch 1 was always off.

Given wiring diagrams I've seen, it seems like I should be able to use the knowledge I have from those two tests and logic to figure out which wires need to be switched so they perform as expected. But for the life of me, I can't figure it out (and really don't want to spend the time to try all possible combinations).

Anyone have a resource they could point me to or another way to figure it out?

So, if this was a video game, I would go back, and instead of swapping the two non-hot wires, I would swap one of the hot and non-hot... (realizing you don't even know which is which)
Or maybe I'm over simplifying it. But, yeah, please don't kill yourself.

[The Meal]

Good news: when we moved into our home a few years ago, I had to do this exact thing, and I was able to figure it out!

Bad news: that was a few years ago.

Useful information: the internet was helpful.

[stessier]

I am replacing 2 broken 3-way switches in my house. The way they were wired when they still worked wasn't right because there was a configuration where Switch 1 being off made Switch 2's position always off.

To try and figure it out, I swapped the two non-hot wires (not sure what they are called - just Line?) on Switch 1 and that made it so that Switch 1 worked as expected, but Switch 2 had a position where Switch 1 was always off.

Given wiring diagrams I've seen, it seems like I should be able to use the knowledge I have from those two tests and logic to figure out which wires need to be switched so they perform as expected. But for the life of me, I can't figure it out (and really don't want to spend the time to try all possible combinations).

Anyone have a resource they could point me to or another way to figure it out?

So, if this was a video game, I would go back, and instead of swapping the two non-hot wires, I would swap one of the hot and non-hot... (realizing you don't even know which is which)
Or maybe I'm over simplifying it. But, yeah, please don't kill yourself.

Yeah, I thought of that and started diagramming out the change and what it would tell me. That's when I realized that I need to know which line goes to the breaker panel. Without that, I could be working on the middle switch and never know it. So I'm going to try and measure voltages. I have the equipment, I just don't like working around bare wires with 15 amps.

Stupid part is that these switches are 8' apart. Probably be easier just to wire nut all the wires behind one switch and then put a blank plate on it so it works like a single switch.

[LordMortis]

I need to bookmark this thread. A woodchuck tore through a three way switch between my house and my garage a few years ago, set up to turn the garage light on and off from the house or garage. The original wiring wasn't right, or so my old man said, which left him trying to figure out how the previous owner got a three way switch to work. We blew too many fuses and a half day's work before giving up with the intent of hiring an electrician as some future date...

Maybe this has all the answers and I can revisit without bringing in an electrician.

[stessier]

Maybe this has all the answers and I can revisit without bringing in an electrician.

The video I linked above seems to be the straightforward way to do it. It's only 3 minutes long.

[Unagi]

Well, I learned that a woodchuck does chuck 3-way switches.

[Daehawk]

You're going to need a hammer, a blowtorch, and a burrito.

WAIT!...no thats something different. 3 ways I cannot remember.

[hitbyambulance]

electrician career path still sounds interesting to me....

[Daehawk]

electrician career path still sounds interesting to me....

It is a path of least resistance.

[hitbyambulance]

electrician career path still sounds interesting to me....

It is a path of least resistance.

not bad, not bad

[stessier]

Hmmm, more reading and I realize I don't know which are the Hot vs. Traveler wires. I'm going to have to figure that out without killing myself.

Edit: Ahhh. Yeah, going to have to try and not kill myself.

Update: This worked!

Well, the wiring went fine and the switches now work. My only issue is finding the first live wire led to quite the spark. I'm not sure what I did wrong there - I didn't have the alligator clip connectors, just sharp pointed ones. I'm wondering if that made the difference. Otherwise I connected to the ground wire first like the video showed. After figuring out which wire is which, it was super simple. Next up is a 4-way switch that never worked right either.