Replies

1. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 06:35pm | #1

   Not enough info. 2-way and 3-way are common names for the same thing.

    

   Count the number of screw connectors on the switches, but not the ground terminal, and let us know waht you have.

   SamT
   A Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right!
   Except when I'm not.

1. 
   sharcitect | Aug 25, 2009 06:41pm | #2

   Thanks Sam.I meant 2 wire and 3 wire + ground.
   The 3-way switch has 3 screws + ground
   The 2-way Switch has 2 screws + ground

1. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 07:43pm | #3

   Probably:

   you have the common switch, 2 terminal/g, feeding power to the 3-way.

   Probably:

   the 3-way only has two wires +g attached to it.

   Probably:

   Both switches have to be in one particular combination to turn the light on.

   Probably:

   You can connect the hot, black wire on the common switch to the "Traveler", (the wire that runs between the two switches,) then replace the 3-way switch with the common switch, and put a blank cover on the unused switch box.

   Please, before you do anything, if my "probable" assumptions are wrong, get back to us.SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Aug 25, 2009 08:03pm | #4

   A 3-way "system" has at least one other 3-way switch and possibly one or more 4-ways in between then.

   Even for a simple 2 switch 3-way circuit there are about 4 or 5 different ways that it can be wired. None of them allow a light (or another light) to be connected at either 3-way switch. And some of them don't allow a light to be connected at either end.

   To determine what you have you have to list each cable that connects to the switch. Which color in which cable connects to which terminal on the switch. Ignore any grounds (green terminal and bare or green wire). On the switch you will have 2 terminals of the same color, those are the travelers, and 1 of a different color. That is the common terminal.

   And any wires in those cables that connect to each other.

   And do that at both 3-way switches.

   .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
1. 
   sharcitect | Aug 25, 2009 08:11pm | #5

   Thanks. When I get a chance I'll turn off the power and look at / note the wires and re-post.

1. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 08:18pm | #7

   If you actually have three wires connected to the 3-way, you may have an unkown 3-way somewhere.SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.

1. 
   sharcitect | Aug 25, 2009 08:31pm | #8

   I will definitely count / note all wires and re-post.I think I may have not been too clear on the original post.I have a three way circuit: 1 switch at the top of the stairs, 1 switch at the bottom of the stairs that both control a single light. Next to the switch at the bottom of the stairs (in the same gang of switches) I have a separate switch that controls 2 additional lights downstairs. I would like to combine these 2 additional lights onto the existing 3-way circuit and either eliminate or leave inoperable the 2-way switch. When I get a chance I will note all the connections in the 2-way and 3-way circuit.Thanks

1. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 08:39pm | #9

   I would like to combine these 2 additional lights onto the existing 3-way circuit and either eliminate or leave inoperable the 2-way switch.

   Do you want one, and only one, switch to control all those lights?SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.

2. 
   sharcitect | Aug 25, 2009 08:46pm | #12

   Sam-I would like to have all 3 lights on the 3-way circuit so I can switch them from either upstairs or downstairs. Thanks

3. 
   sharcitect | Aug 25, 2009 08:47pm | #13

   And sorry for all the confusion too

4. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 08:58pm | #14

   Sharcitect,

   You must ignore all my suggestions above. See Bill's #11 post to me.

   I think that you have now correctly identified your switches and circuits.

   The only problem I can now foresee is that you might have power to the 3-way circuit coming in at the gang box  at the bottom of the stairs and the power going to the  light coming from the 3-way switch at the top.

   If you're really lucky, the power comes in at the top and the light connects at the bottom or you have a 3 wire +g running from top to light to bottom. Otherwise, you'll have to get another wire from top to bottom.SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.

5. 
   BillHartmann | Aug 25, 2009 10:45pm | #15

   Or you might have a single connection at one end with a switch leg from the light..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

2. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 08:16pm | #6

   And do that at both 3-way switches.

   He has one switch with two terminals and one with three terminals. Ignoring ground.SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Aug 25, 2009 08:40pm | #10

   But unless he has a 3-way that is just used as a SPST switch he has a 2nd 3-way someplace.And as he has since confirmed..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

1. 
   SamT | Aug 25, 2009 08:43pm | #11

   Bah! I miss one word in the original post and it derails my whole train.

    

   "Ganged"SamTA Pragmatic Classical Liberal, aka Libertarian.

   I'm always right! Except when I'm not.