Replies

1. 
   DanH | Feb 06, 2008 06:03am | #1

   It's miswired.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
2. 
   andyfew322 | Feb 06, 2008 06:14am | #2

   it's miswired, happened to me before

    

   "It is like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer: it feels so good when you stop"

3. 
   DanH | Feb 06, 2008 06:48am | #3

   Would help if you gave us some background: Is this new wiring or did you replace a switch or did it just "go bad". Or did you move into a place with the problem?

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
4. 
   caseyr | Feb 06, 2008 07:18am | #4

   http://www.electrical-online.com/3waydiagram.htm

5. 
   Waters | Feb 06, 2008 08:26am | #5

   So the power comes in at that 'primary' switch?

   If so, likely the common (red wire in the light fixture) doesn't put power thru to the other switch.  Look at your wiring at the ceiling box.

   As I have it in my head, the common gives each switch hot to complete the circuit--thereby allowing the each to turn the other off.

   "Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."

    

1. 
   bhackford | Feb 07, 2008 04:40am | #7

   Power goes to fixture then fixture to switch box 1 then to switch box 2.  The diagram I had did not show the common wire color for the switches so I made it red.   I think it needs to be black. 

   Thanks

    

1. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 07, 2008 05:22am | #10

   http://selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/3way/3wayfixture/This is called switch leg wiring.And that the white wire from the fixture to the first switch and between switches are hots, not neutrals.And they are remarked by using tape or marker on each end.The odd colored terminal is the common. The 2 that are the same color are the travelers.
   .
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

6. 
   cap | Feb 06, 2008 09:25am | #6

   Oh, a 3-way switch. 

   I thought you were having relationship problem...

   C.

1. 
   ponytl | Feb 07, 2008 05:04am | #9

   a 3 way relationship problem is only a problem if you are the one left out...

   p

2. 
   rasconc | Feb 07, 2008 05:34am | #11

   Well that makes at least two minds that were in the gutter.  Bet there were more.

7. 
   pgproject | Feb 07, 2008 05:00am | #8

   The way to think about 3-way switches is that the power comes in to one switch, and goes to the load (the light) from the other switch. These wires connect to the COMMON terminal on their respective switches. The other two terminals on one switch are connected to the remaining terminals on the other switch- these are called the travelers, and can connect either way, unless you care what position the switches are in when the light is on or off (I connect them so that when the switches are in the same position (both up or both down) the light is off- note that you can just flip a switch upside down, since a 3-way has no "on" and "off" labels). You should be able to tell the common terminal by a "COM" label, or a different colored screw. Don't rely on the physical layout of the terminals, as they don't always make sense (to me, anyway).

   Hope this helps

   Bill

8. 
   woodway | Feb 07, 2008 05:46am | #12

   rule #1 Switch the hot before the load (light).

   rule #2 A three way is a "switch" not "on" or "off."