Light Switch Wiring help
#1
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Light Switch Wiring help
Hello,
I replaced my apartment light switch with an insteon dimmer switch. I now need to put things the way they were originally by putting back a single pole light switch.
I forgot how the switch used to be wired.
In the wallplate, there are 3 large wires.
Wire 1 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper
Wire 2 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper
Wire 3 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper and one red
Does anyone have any advice on how to get this light switch working? I have no idea what to do with the red.
Should I pair 2 blacks together and put them on one end of the switch, and connect the 3rd black to the other end of the switch? And if that fails, try the next possible combination?
Thanks
I replaced my apartment light switch with an insteon dimmer switch. I now need to put things the way they were originally by putting back a single pole light switch.
I forgot how the switch used to be wired.
In the wallplate, there are 3 large wires.
Wire 1 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper
Wire 2 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper
Wire 3 has 1 black, 1 white, 1 copper and one red
Does anyone have any advice on how to get this light switch working? I have no idea what to do with the red.
Should I pair 2 blacks together and put them on one end of the switch, and connect the 3rd black to the other end of the switch? And if that fails, try the next possible combination?
Thanks
#2
Hello and welcome to the forums.
You have one cable there that is a three wire......three colors and a ground.
Do you have all the wires open or are there still connections made ?
You have one cable there that is a three wire......three colors and a ground.
Do you have all the wires open or are there still connections made ?
#4
My recommendation is to connect the three black wires with an additional short piece of wire (a tail) to one terminal of the switch. Connect the red to the other terminal of the switch.
Make sure breaker is off when making connections.
Make sure breaker is off when making connections.
#5
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ah i do believe you're right. All the blacks are hot, and the red is not. I uncovered other issues with the old switch (its not working) so ill have to buy new switches. Thanks!
#6
All the blacks are hot, and the red is not.
Without knowing how the light is connected, PJ's suggestion is the best first guess.
How did you determine that the old switch is not working?
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I think the other blacks are hot because I connected them. Ill disconnect them and reanalyze.
With the red and black wire connected to the switch, I tested if there is electricity flowing through using a non contact voltage tester.I saw power flowing through the black, but not through the red when i turned the switch on and off.
If I directly connect the red and black, then power flows through and there is power to the corresponding wall outlet. This is making me guess the problem is the switch.
With the red and black wire connected to the switch, I tested if there is electricity flowing through using a non contact voltage tester.I saw power flowing through the black, but not through the red when i turned the switch on and off.
If I directly connect the red and black, then power flows through and there is power to the corresponding wall outlet. This is making me guess the problem is the switch.
#8
If I directly connect the red and black, then power flows through and there is power to the corresponding wall outlet. This is making me guess the problem is the switch.
#9
I replaced my apartment light switch with an insteon dimmer switch. I now need to put things the way they were originally by putting back a single pole light switch.
#11
the receptacle has one white one black on the bottom plug, and one red on the top plug
Joe is right. But since you already changed things and you're trying now to restore the original setup, you might as well go ahead.