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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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Electrical, light switch wiring
Before I waste any more time and fry myself.
Hall light controlled by two switches. Had to replace a switch so went with a smart switch. Turns out it's single pole. Now the thing is the 2nd switch, don't ask why but the wife does not like it and actually had it taped in the off position because the cleaners keep flipping it and that annoys her. Installed the smart switch and with the 2nd switch in the on position the lights just cycle on/off/on/off.... Turn 2nd switch off and naturally smart switch won't work. How do I wire the 2nd switch so it's either single pole or just eliminate it all together?
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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06-01-2019, 04:00 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 54,947
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When you have a lighting circuit controlled by two switches, the switches at each end are what is called a three-way switch. I suspect the smart switch you bought is not capable of being used in that fashion. Look at the paperwork that came with it.
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06-01-2019, 04:14 PM
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Puny Bird
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Port Hope (near Toronto) On, Canada
Posts: 4,566
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Not a real smart switch is it?
Really why not install a pair of 3 way smart switches? They do make them.
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'74 Porsche 914, 3.0/6 '72 Porsche 914, 1.7, wife's summer DD '67 Bug, 2600cc T4,'67 Bus, 2.0 T1 Not putting miles on your car is like not having sex with your girlfriend, so she'll be more desirable to her next boyfriend. |
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06-01-2019, 04:41 PM
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Posts: 21,375
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 Above is the way many 3 way switches are wired. This is the simplest. If you have all the white wires (neutrals)tied together, the power is fed to one box, usually by a black wire. Light fed by the other box. The switch chooses between the two ""traveler" wires, which are usually red and black. Unfortunately not all are wired that way, and if any of the whites were connected to the switches, we really need pics to figure it out. Below is a simplified view: 
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Political polls are often to give you an opinion, not to find out what your opinion is - Scott Adams |
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06-01-2019, 05:05 PM
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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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Thanks.
Tossed the old switch back for now. Too many other things to deal with so I'll get back to it another day.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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06-01-2019, 05:36 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,805
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You wouldn’t believe how many times I have to call electricians back to fix a 3 way switch. Carelessness or stupidity.
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06-01-2019, 06:27 PM
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