Three Way Light Switch Not Working Properly

Scott first gives an explanation of the three way switch two switches that control one light fixture.

Three way light switch not working properly.

Remove the two 3 way switches so you can access the switch terminals the wire connections do not have to be removed. Countless homes across the country are plagued by miswired 3 way circuits causing not only inconvenience but a. 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. How to wire a 3 way switch video.

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. Often they can be found at either end of a hallway. The dang 3 way switch isn t working.

Virtually every house has at least one set of three way switches. Short circuit in electrical wiring if you have several light switches or light fixtures that are not working then there may be a short in the electrical wiring or most likely a loose connection has developed. 3 way light switch problem 1. If one breaks or you wish to replace them with more decorative switches you can often confuse the wires.

So to turn the light on she carefully negotiates the stairs to the top and flips on the switch. My dad has a light switch that will not work in his dining room. That s just not the way it s supposed to be is it. 3way light switch wiring electrical question.

In your description i only hear about 2 wires per switch as i tried to show in the diagram. You need 2 traveler wires for a 3 way switch to work properly. 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. The third wire is the common wire that feeds the light fixture and is connected to the black screw on the switch.

Then the black or darkest terminal is connected to a black wire that feeds to the light fixture to get connected on the hot contact on the fixture while the white. Our dining room light is controlled by two 3way switches. They may be at the bottom and the top of stairways. Using a continuity tester check continuity between the common black terminal and each of the traveler terminals brass colored of each 3 way switch.

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. Existing 3 way switches. 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. Touch the probes to the 3 wires removed from the switch until you get a reading on the tester indicating continuity.

Connect these wires to the switch 1 wire on each of the brass colored screws.