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3 Way Switch

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08-12-07, 07:27 PM

tobja

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3 Way Switch

I have a 3 way switch that I want to fit a replacement switch to.

I have the following:
1. 3 Whites pigtailed
2. 2 Whites/1 Black pigtailed
3. (On Switch) - Red/Black/Black

I have an old switch that I want to fit which has black/white/yellow/green wires. Does anyone know what needs to go where? I guess the first step is determine which wires are hot on the current switch???

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08-12-07, 07:51 PM

ray2047

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Screw color is the most important. Two screws are the same color (travelers) one is different (common). Before pulling the switch mark the wire on the odd color (common) screw. On the replacement switch just put the common to common and travelers to the two screws colored the same. Travelers can go either way on the two like colored screws.

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08-13-07, 08:11 AM

joed

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The only three wire that are of any concern are the three attached to the existing switch. DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ANY OF THE OTHER WIRES IN THE BOX.
Determine which wire is on the common screw. The screw will be black in colour or marked common. Determine which screw is the common screw on your new switch and move the wire from the old common screw to the new common screw. Move the other two wire. It does not matter which screw for the other two wires.

Common screw is not always in the same position on the screw so don't go by upper left, lower left etc. when moving the wires.

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