Turning two separate switches in to one switch
#1
10-05-13, 04:27 PM
Turning two separate switches in to one switch
In my house under one wall plate, I have three switches. One switch is a part of a three way switch for a hall light. Two switches control two different sets of lights outside my house.
I bought one timer switch. I'd like that one timer switch to control both sets of outside lights.
I took off the wall plate and found this (Switches A and B):
Attachment 18813
(Switches B and C):
Attachment 18814
Switch A is a 3 way switch that controls the hall light. Switches B and C control the outside lights.
Note that the black wire attaching all three switches at the bottom is just one long black wire stripped to connect the three switches together.
What is the proper way to wire this? The two switches on the right need to be controlled off of one timer switch. I know one switch will end up doing nothing in the end, and I'm OK with that.
I bought one timer switch. I'd like that one timer switch to control both sets of outside lights.
I took off the wall plate and found this (Switches A and B):
Attachment 18813
(Switches B and C):
Attachment 18814
Switch A is a 3 way switch that controls the hall light. Switches B and C control the outside lights.
Note that the black wire attaching all three switches at the bottom is just one long black wire stripped to connect the three switches together.
What is the proper way to wire this? The two switches on the right need to be controlled off of one timer switch. I know one switch will end up doing nothing in the end, and I'm OK with that.
#2
10-05-13, 05:10 PM
Wewlcome to the forums!
With the power off remove the black wire that's stabbed into the back of switch B and all of the wires from switch C.
Splice the single black wire from B and the single red wire from C together. Connect those to the Load terminal on your timer if one is designated as load. Ass a pigtail to the splice if needed. Connect the wire that's coming from A and B to the line terminal on your timer, again if there's one designated that way. If the two power terminals aren't specified as line and load, just connect the two load wires to one and the line feed to the other.
If you timer needs to be connected to neutral, those are the white wires spliced together in the back of the box and not connected to any of your existing switches.
Put everything back in the box and put the new cover plate on. Switch A will still be the 3-way, B will be dead and your new timer will be C. Turn the power back on and program the timer.
With the power off remove the black wire that's stabbed into the back of switch B and all of the wires from switch C.
Splice the single black wire from B and the single red wire from C together. Connect those to the Load terminal on your timer if one is designated as load. Ass a pigtail to the splice if needed. Connect the wire that's coming from A and B to the line terminal on your timer, again if there's one designated that way. If the two power terminals aren't specified as line and load, just connect the two load wires to one and the line feed to the other.
If you timer needs to be connected to neutral, those are the white wires spliced together in the back of the box and not connected to any of your existing switches.
Put everything back in the box and put the new cover plate on. Switch A will still be the 3-way, B will be dead and your new timer will be C. Turn the power back on and program the timer.
#3
10-05-13, 06:36 PM
Thank you for your quick response!
The wire coming from A to B will likely not reach all the way over to the timer in slot C. However, the line connecting A to B and B to C is the same wire, with some sheathing stripped to connect switch B. Is it acceptable to wrap electrical tape over the exposed wire where switch B is and just use the far end of the wire (currently on switch C) to connect to the line terminal? Or is there a better/safer way to do it?
The wire coming from A to B will likely not reach all the way over to the timer in slot C. However, the line connecting A to B and B to C is the same wire, with some sheathing stripped to connect switch B. Is it acceptable to wrap electrical tape over the exposed wire where switch B is and just use the far end of the wire (currently on switch C) to connect to the line terminal? Or is there a better/safer way to do it?
#4
10-05-13, 06:47 PM
The wire coming from A to B will likely not reach all the way over to the timer in slot C.
However, the line connecting A to B and B to C is the same wire, with some sheathing stripped to connect switch B. Is it acceptable to wrap electrical tape over the exposed wire where switch B is and just use the far end of the wire (currently on switch C) to connect to the line terminal? Or is there a better/safer way to do it?
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
remove the black wire that's stabbed into the back of switch B and all of the wires from switch C.
#5
10-05-13, 06:52 PM
Sorry, I misunderstood when you said, "Connect the wire that's coming from A and B to the line terminal on your timer," but I understand now. Thanks again!
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