another three way question

hi,
hope for some help with this prob, tks
dinning room.
power is from the panel box to a wall outlet then into the switch for the light, then leaves for the rest of the outlets in the room.
there are two three way switches.
all the wires were connected when i removed the face plate to the switch. if i remember right in the first switch with the power entering, all the white wires were wire nutted together.
anyway, the switch didnt work as a three way, i could get the light on, although the other switch didnt do anything.
the diagrams i have found on the net, suggest to me at least that maybe it would be better if i just ran a new hot wire directly to the fan/light from the attic and then follow the diagram for doing a three way with the light/fan in the middle.
if you can help me with an easier way than running a new hot wire, that would be most appreciated.
tks randal

 

leewaytoo, How many wires in the second box for the other 3way switch?


Fred

 

sorry i was not exact in what was available.
there is a three wire from each switch to the fan/light.
black
white
red

 

You have the black from the 2 wire cable on the wrong screw. It needs to be on the common of the 3 way. If you can't determine the common just switch it to a different screw. and try it. If that doesn't work switch it again to the 3rd screw. You only have 3 possibilities.

 

So let's clarify.[list=1][*]At the first 3-way switch, you have one 14/2 cable, which you believe is the power supply, one 14/3 to the light, and one other 14/2 taking power to the other receptacles.[*]At the second 3-way switch across the room, you have one 14/3 and nothing else.[*]Exactly one fan/light fixture is the only thing to be controlled by these switches. No other lights. And no switched receptacles.[*]At the fan/light fixture, you have two 14/3 cables, one from each switch. No other cables.[*]The fan and the light are both powered from the same source (i.e., you don't have separate controls for the fan and light except the pull chains).[/list=1]Please confirm or correct the details in each of these assertions.

 

You say the hot feed comes from the receptacle then out to feed other receptacles. I'm going to assume they all work downstream. What where concerned with here is the 3 conductor cable between the two 3way switches and the 2 or 3 conductor cable going to the fan/light combo. The red and white wires from the 3 conductor cable connect to the brass color screws on both switches(the white wire should be re-dedicated black on both ends with a permanant marker or tape). Black wire(switch leg) connects to dark color screw on second switch while the other end connects to the (if 2 conductor)black wire for the light, white wire connects to white wire(s) from your hot feed. If 3 conductor is going to fan/light combo just determine if red or black is being used for the light. The other color wire(red or black) should be for the fan.


Fred

 

yes to all your assertions, john nelson.

tks for the reply freddy g .
i will reread your post tomorrow when i can copy and paste to word and spread out your sentences. i'm a bit lost reading it now as it is.

im not sure from reading your post what to do with the downstream wires for the remaining receptacles.

tks again for reading and posting.
randal

 

randal, The feed for the other receptacles downstream will connect to hot feed coming into the switch outlet box, black to black, white to white and all bare copper grounds(if any) connect together.


Fred

 

Terminology:

• P is the 14/2 power cable into the first 3-way switch.
• D is the 14/2 at the first 3-way that goes to unswitched receptacles.
• X is the 14/3 from the first 3-way switch to the fan/light.
• Y is the 14/3 from the fan/light to the second 3-way switch.
• b=black.
• w=white.
• r=red.

At the first 3-way switch:[list=1][*]Pb to Db and a pigtail.[*]The other end of the pigtail to the common screw (usually the black screw) on the switch.[*]Xr and Xb to the two other screws (not counting the green screw) on the switch.[*]Pw to Dw to Xw.[/list=1]At the fan/light:[list=1][*]Xw to the fan/light's white wire.[*]Xr to Yr.[*]Xb to Yw (remarked with black marker).[*]Yb to the fan/light's black wire and blue (or black with a white stripe) wire.[/list=1]At the second 3-way switch:[list=1][*]Yb to the common screw.[*]Yr and Yw (remarked) to the other screws.[/list=1]Of course, interconnect all grounding wires and screws (you'll need a green wire nut for this at the first 3-way switch).

 

thank you thank you
both
freddy g
and
john nelson

im sure your instructions were correct too freddyg, although, no offense intended, john nelson's were easier for me to follow.

i am so happy to have found this web site and all the knowledgable folks here willing to help by sharing.

i now have the dinning room three way working as it should.

and all because of you two and this forum.

tks again
randal