Electrical question
#1
12-05-13, 08:33 PM
Electrical question
I'm basically trying to install a Belkin WeMo (motion sensor light switch)
It cannot be installed on a 3 way switch which is what I believe I have.
I want to disable one switch to make it a single pole.
How do I do it and which switch would be the best to install my Belkin device on.
Picture 1: switch top of the stairs.
Picture 2: switch from bottom of stairs
Picture 3: Back of Belkin device
It cannot be installed on a 3 way switch which is what I believe I have.
I want to disable one switch to make it a single pole.
How do I do it and which switch would be the best to install my Belkin device on.
Picture 1: switch top of the stairs.
Picture 2: switch from bottom of stairs
Picture 3: Back of Belkin device
#2
12-05-13, 09:20 PM
Welcome to the forums!
Those are interesting pictures but they don't give ud the information needed to answer your question.
Tell us where the power comes in from the panel (It should be in a 2-conductor cable). Tell us where the switched power goes to the light (It should be in another 2-conductor cable). Tell us how each wire in those two cables, and in the 3-conductor cable running from switch to switch, is connected now, and we'll tell you how to change the connections to do what you want.
Here's an example: In your top photo, there's a black wire connected to the common terminal (with the dark screw) on the switch. That means the white and red wires are the two travelers. Are there one or two cables in that box? If two, which cable is each of the wires in?
You'll have to turn the power off and scrape the paint off the terminal screws on the switch in the second picture to tell how it's wired.
What tools do you have to test for voltage?
To help you understand what you'll be doing, see How Light Switches Work. Also, you should pick up a copy of Wiring Simplified - authoritative, comprehensive, up-to-date, readable and... inexpensive!
Those are interesting pictures but they don't give ud the information needed to answer your question.
Tell us where the power comes in from the panel (It should be in a 2-conductor cable). Tell us where the switched power goes to the light (It should be in another 2-conductor cable). Tell us how each wire in those two cables, and in the 3-conductor cable running from switch to switch, is connected now, and we'll tell you how to change the connections to do what you want.
Here's an example: In your top photo, there's a black wire connected to the common terminal (with the dark screw) on the switch. That means the white and red wires are the two travelers. Are there one or two cables in that box? If two, which cable is each of the wires in?
You'll have to turn the power off and scrape the paint off the terminal screws on the switch in the second picture to tell how it's wired.
What tools do you have to test for voltage?
To help you understand what you'll be doing, see How Light Switches Work. Also, you should pick up a copy of Wiring Simplified - authoritative, comprehensive, up-to-date, readable and... inexpensive!
