electric single switch
#1
10-12-03, 01:05 PM
electric single switch
Replaced switch and now the switch won't turn off light. Light stays on and have to use chain. Whats wrong?
#3
10-12-03, 06:38 PM
Member
Norman,
Please answer chfite's question first. But then also tell us if you tripped the circuit breaker at any point in this process. Also tell us if anything at all happens when you flip the switch up and down. Then tell us why you replaced the switch, and if it was part of any larger project.
Please answer chfite's question first. But then also tell us if you tripped the circuit breaker at any point in this process. Also tell us if anything at all happens when you flip the switch up and down. Then tell us why you replaced the switch, and if it was part of any larger project.
#4
10-13-03, 08:27 PM
Member
From Norman:
Connect all three white wires together with a wire nut and push them to the back of the box. Don't touch them again.
Two of the black wires should be connected to a pigtail to one of the two screws on the switch (please don't use the backstab as was probably done with the earlier switch). The remaining black wire connects to the other screw.
The problem comes in deciding which two black wires should be connected to the pigtail, and which black wire gets its own screw. Since you didn't record how the old switch was connected, you'll need to use trial and error. There are only three combinations, with these three possible results:[list=1][*]Light is always on, and the other room only has power when the switch is on.[*]Light is only on when the switch is on, but the other room only has power when the switch is on.[*]Everything works fine. The other room has power regardless of the switch position and the switch controls the light.[/list=1]If you get either of the first two results, try another combination until you get the third result.
John, We were changing the switch becuse it arched when we turned it on. Did not blow breaker. There are 6 wires. 3 white, 3 black. It supplies elect. to another room. When we connected the other switch it kept on popping the breaker when we flicked it on. We did shut breaker of when working on it. I tried connecting it different ways, black to black, white to white, with no luck. It just kept popping no matter which way I connected it. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Two of the black wires should be connected to a pigtail to one of the two screws on the switch (please don't use the backstab as was probably done with the earlier switch). The remaining black wire connects to the other screw.
The problem comes in deciding which two black wires should be connected to the pigtail, and which black wire gets its own screw. Since you didn't record how the old switch was connected, you'll need to use trial and error. There are only three combinations, with these three possible results:[list=1][*]Light is always on, and the other room only has power when the switch is on.[*]Light is only on when the switch is on, but the other room only has power when the switch is on.[*]Everything works fine. The other room has power regardless of the switch position and the switch controls the light.[/list=1]If you get either of the first two results, try another combination until you get the third result.
