Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Mar 22, 2002 04:58pm | #1

   I started to tell you using a voltmeter, but then realized that it would depend on which end the switch was on.

   But this will work on any. First label each wire 1, 2, 3 and also make a diagram of the switch showing which wire went to which terminal.

   Then take out the switch. And with a ohm meter or continuity tester try the 3 terminals. Between two terminals you will not have a connection with the switch in either position. Those are the two traveler connections.

   The 3rd terminal is the common. It will have continuity to one of the travelers with the switch in one position and with the other terminal with switch in the other position.

   Now that you know which terminals where the common and travelers you can identify which wires connected to those terminals.

   Then connect them to the appropraite terminals on the new switch.

   It is easier than it sounds. Experiment with a new switch and you will see.

1. 
   sdr25 | Mar 22, 2002 06:47pm | #5

   Bill, I didn't even think about checking continuity of the old switch.

   That would have done it and saved a few minutes over my trial and error method.

   Thanks.

   Scott R.

2. 
   bake | Mar 22, 2002 04:59pm | #2

   I usually use my meter set on volts ac to find the hot(s) then go to the ohm scale or beeper to find the switch legs and travelers if it's really stickey but usually it's easy to tell by how many wires are in which boxes

3. 
   BossHog | Mar 22, 2002 05:06pm | #3

   I was going to suggest sticking your tounge on each wire to see when it was hot, but Bill Hartmann's suggestion is much better.

   Just make sure the power is shut off - You can fry an ohm meter by sticking the leads in the wrong place with the power on.

4. 
   PeteKoski | Mar 22, 2002 05:20pm | #4

   There are at least 500 ways to hook up a three way (minor exageration)..   I will try to address the two most common ways to wire a three way. 

   First thing I would do is pull out the wires so that they are connected to nothing. 

   If I had a three wire cable and a two wire cable in the box.  I would use a "proximity" type tester (you don gotta touch the wire to get it to read hot). 

    If the two wire cable has a hot black wire, then connect the hot wire to the common...connect the white wires together... connect the red and black from the three wire cable to the travelers. (above someone listed how to identify).  Turn on the power and see if it works.  If it doesnt then you have to look inside the light box (gets dicey so I wont address that). 

    

   I have a drawing of this in Microsoft Publisher but I dont know how to attach here.

    

   SECOND WAY

   If you only have a three wire cable coming into box, then identify the two wires that are affected when you switch the companion switch on and off (sometimes it is best to use a voltmeter or wiggy when doing this cuz sometimes there is some bleed thru on switches.)  The two wires that are switched by the companion switch are travelers..connect them to the traveler terminals.  The remaining wire  should be connected to the common.  Turn on and try it.

    

   The other multitudinous ways are more complicated.  Hope this helps

    

   Pete

1. 
   BossHog | Mar 22, 2002 08:05pm | #6

   "There are at least 500 ways to hook up a three way"

   Pete, Your Momma told you a million times not to exaggerate.

1. 
   caseyr | Mar 22, 2002 09:13pm | #7

   There are some good 3 way wiring diagrams on Dan's Wiring Page:

   http://www.danswiringpage.com/

   If you do a web search, there are a number of other sites that have diagrams.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 23, 2002 12:15am | #8

   On the old switch one of the terminals should be different from the others, such as being marked "COMMON".  Connect the wire from this to the COMMOM on the new switch.  The other two can go on either of the other two terminals either way.