6 way light switch..new one wont work
#1
Member
Thread Starter
6 way light switch..new one wont work
i have 3 hall lights that all turn on or off by one of 6 switches...i had one switch for many years be unable to be turned on or off. was just stuck on, never used it. i finally decided to fix it but i guess not
there are 2 white wires and 2 black wires and all the old screws appear to be brass, i bought a 4 way switch with 2 silver and 2 brass and it says input and output. i didnt see any other switch with 4 screws ...maybe i missed something?
is it possible i wired the switch backwards? too late to fool with it tonight but will try it tomorrow i guess.
there are 2 white wires and 2 black wires and all the old screws appear to be brass, i bought a 4 way switch with 2 silver and 2 brass and it says input and output. i didnt see any other switch with 4 screws ...maybe i missed something?
is it possible i wired the switch backwards? too late to fool with it tonight but will try it tomorrow i guess.
#2
How did you wire the switch? One black and white should be input. These need to be from the same cable.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
will have to check tomorrow, i forget now
but when you try to use it to turn and off, it doesnt work but if you switch another switch first then use the new one, the new one will work on and off..just cant touch another switch lol
but when you try to use it to turn and off, it doesnt work but if you switch another switch first then use the new one, the new one will work on and off..just cant touch another switch lol
#4
Member
Hi ld, if it is a 4-way, you need two 3-wires (R/B/W each). If it is one of the two 3-ways, you need one 2-wire and one 3-wire. If there are no 3-wire in any locations, then they are using ground as the return neutral, not good. Is this old wiring?
Bud
Bud
#5
Bud - I believe his existing wiring may be ok and grandfathered in. It may not be the most efficient way to wire the 3 ways and 4 ways, but it can be done using only 2 wire cables between the 4 ways and not using a ground wire.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
oh and above grounding was discussed, i think i have maybe 6 grounded outlets in the house lol..rest are not , or are wired in reverse ..bought one of those tester things. oh well...even had to run a thick extension from hall to my TV setup because UPS wont run without ground.