need some help (Wiring light switches)
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need some help (Wiring light switches)
I purchased a new house in January and there are two light switches in the kitchen for the same set of lights. One light switch works, the other shorts out the electrical to the kitchen when you turn it on. I took the bad switch out, capped the wires and put a plate over it. Now however, the light switch that was working before no longer works. Anyone have a suggestion as to what might be wrong?
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The switch was defective or wired wrong. I suspect wired wrong.
If you want help sorting out the problem,tell us ALL the wires at each swirch box and at the light. Tell us what cables exist, what wires are in the cables, and what those wires are connected to.
If you want help sorting out the problem,tell us ALL the wires at each swirch box and at the light. Tell us what cables exist, what wires are in the cables, and what those wires are connected to.
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hope this helps
there are only four wires coming out of the wall. red, black, white, and ground. I capped all of them. The same goes for the other switch. maybe that will help us figure out the problem.
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If you want help sorting out the problem,tell us ALL the wires at each swirch box and at the light. Tell us what cables exist, what wires are in the cables, and what those wires are connected to.
The problem could be just that the ground wire contacted one oif the travelers, or it could be a mis-wire at the other switch.
I'm not going to guess.
The problem could be just that the ground wire contacted one oif the travelers, or it could be a mis-wire at the other switch.
I'm not going to guess.
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A "light" switch, as compared to a "heavy" switch?
If you have one or more liting fixtures wired together, and operate together, and if these fixtures are controlled from two switch-locations, then the two switches are 3-terminal switches KA "3-way" switches.
If at one "3-way" switch outlet box there are only 3 conductors, one wire-per-terminal, then the 3-wire cable at this box goes to the outlet-box where the other 3-way switch is located. At this box there will be a 2-wire "Feed-In" cable, and a 2-wire "Feed-Out" cable to the fixtures.
I'ts possible that one of the wires in the 3-wire cable between the two switch outlet-boxes is Grounded.
As advised, you will have to submit an exact description of the wiring connections in the box where the 2-wire cables connect.
Good Luck, & Learn & Enjoy from the Experience!!!!
If you have one or more liting fixtures wired together, and operate together, and if these fixtures are controlled from two switch-locations, then the two switches are 3-terminal switches KA "3-way" switches.
If at one "3-way" switch outlet box there are only 3 conductors, one wire-per-terminal, then the 3-wire cable at this box goes to the outlet-box where the other 3-way switch is located. At this box there will be a 2-wire "Feed-In" cable, and a 2-wire "Feed-Out" cable to the fixtures.
I'ts possible that one of the wires in the 3-wire cable between the two switch outlet-boxes is Grounded.
As advised, you will have to submit an exact description of the wiring connections in the box where the 2-wire cables connect.
Good Luck, & Learn & Enjoy from the Experience!!!!