Can’t get 3 way switch to work single pole...(pic)
#1
06-28-20, 02:32 PM
Can’t get 3 way switch to work single pole...(pic)
Two cables coming in, one 3 wire, the other two.
Swith th is a 3 way but I thought u could use them as single pole.
I’d swear I had it working with the red on one and the black on the other, but put breaker back in & nothing. So u swapped them, still nothing.
Figured someone could save me the experiments. Tia !!
Swith th is a 3 way but I thought u could use them as single pole.
I’d swear I had it working with the red on one and the black on the other, but put breaker back in & nothing. So u swapped them, still nothing.
Figured someone could save me the experiments. Tia !!
#3
06-28-20, 02:43 PM
You have to wire the switch between black screw (common) and one of the remaining screws.
You need to crimp, use ground wire nut, or pigtail ground wire. Simple twist is no longer acceptable.
You need to crimp, use ground wire nut, or pigtail ground wire. Simple twist is no longer acceptable.
#4
06-29-20, 06:36 AM
That is how I had it wired when it was working, then it stopped. Is it possible I killed the switch somehow? I have several gfci’s in the house, but I don’t think any are on that circuit, and none appear tripped. I’ll rewire & let u know what happens.
as far as the ground, I have proper pigtails here, but how do I connect it to the other grounds if not twist....crimp? (I can buy a crimp tool)
as far as the ground, I have proper pigtails here, but how do I connect it to the other grounds if not twist....crimp? (I can buy a crimp tool)
#5
06-29-20, 07:38 AM
So I swapped it back & it works again. But one of the black wires has a Knick in it, & if u move the switch, it becomes inoperable again. I’ll remedy that & the wiring should be fixed...thank u!
I still want to know about how to best ground with a pigtail. Also, just for my own edification why this way is required now vs just twisting grounds together?
I still want to know about how to best ground with a pigtail. Also, just for my own edification why this way is required now vs just twisting grounds together?
#6
06-29-20, 07:49 AM
Sometime after 1985 simply twisted ground wires were deemed no longer good and sufficient.
If one of the ground wire ends is somewhat longer then you can get one of those green wire nuts with a hole in the small end and pass the longer ground wire end through that hole to connect to something else. This sometimes eliminates the need for a pigtail.
If one of the ground wire ends is somewhat longer then you can get one of those green wire nuts with a hole in the small end and pass the longer ground wire end through that hole to connect to something else. This sometimes eliminates the need for a pigtail.
Last edited by AllanJ; 06-29-20 at 08:07 AM.
#7
06-29-20, 08:10 AM
Member
Hi, make the grounds up like any other splice with a pigtail, no need to buy a crimp tool.
Geo
Geo
#8
06-29-20, 11:43 AM
Group Moderator
You can also use green wire nuts. They come with center hole to allow the longer wire to pass thru.
