Help with wiring on new switches
#1
11-01-14, 04:47 PM
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Help with wiring on new switches
So, we decided to replace every plug and switch in the house with new white ones. It's looking good so far. All we do is pull the old switch or plug off, note where the wires are, then hook the new one back up the same exact way. Easy peasy. But, now we got to a wall in the living room that has 4 switches on it. I did the same thing, noted where all the wires are, and replaced each switch one by one. But now, they aren't working as expected. S3 doesn't seem to do anything. S4 and S1 are interacting oddly. And S2 only works when the other two light switches are in certain positions. So, I guess I didn't hook everything back up correctly, but I could of swore I did.
To note, the gray wire (D) is actually black, but I colored it different to note it is a separate piece of wire acting as a jumper between S2, S3, and S4. I'm not sure wires A and C are continuous as they run into the walls, but I did get continuity between them. One other clue that may help.... if I unplug wire D from 5, the kitchen lights go out. Anyone have any ideas? Let me know if I can answer any questions. Thanks in advance!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41051[/ATTACH]
To note, the gray wire (D) is actually black, but I colored it different to note it is a separate piece of wire acting as a jumper between S2, S3, and S4. I'm not sure wires A and C are continuous as they run into the walls, but I did get continuity between them. One other clue that may help.... if I unplug wire D from 5, the kitchen lights go out. Anyone have any ideas? Let me know if I can answer any questions. Thanks in advance!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41051[/ATTACH]
#2
11-01-14, 04:51 PM
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Welcome to the forums.
When using three way switches..... there is no "side" or order of the wires. There are two screws that are usually brass and one screw is usually dark and sometimes black. The dark colored screw is called the common screw. What came off the common screw MUST go back on the common screw regardless of location around the switch. The two brass screws are interchangeable.
You are showing 2) three ways switches for fan and fan light. That would not be correct.
Maybe S4 is mislabeled in your diagram ?
When using three way switches..... there is no "side" or order of the wires. There are two screws that are usually brass and one screw is usually dark and sometimes black. The dark colored screw is called the common screw. What came off the common screw MUST go back on the common screw regardless of location around the switch. The two brass screws are interchangeable.
You are showing 2) three ways switches for fan and fan light. That would not be correct.
Maybe S4 is mislabeled in your diagram ?
#3
11-01-14, 04:54 PM
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Thanks PJmax!
I just verified that what was the common screw is wired up the same way on the new switches. On both the old switches, and the new ones, the common screw is a single screw on the bottom of the switch, and the top two screws are brass.
I just verified that what was the common screw is wired up the same way on the new switches. On both the old switches, and the new ones, the common screw is a single screw on the bottom of the switch, and the top two screws are brass.
That's some complicated wiring there.
