How to disconnect 1 of 2 three way switches

Hello.

I have a patio ceiling light that is controlled by 2 separate light switches. I intend to hang a ceiling fan in place of the patio light and a fan/light controller in place of one of the two switches. I realize that one of the 2 switches will have to be deactivated or disconnected. How exactly do I go about doing this so that it is as if there is only one switch to control the fan/light? I plan to put a blank faceplate cover over the old switch location.

 

We need to know the wiring at each switch and where power comes in, at the light or at the remaining switch or at the switch to be removed. Differentiate between wires from 2-conductor and 3-conductor switches. Ignore bare and green wires.

 

fan light controller will only work if you have 12/3 wire running from a switch box to the ceiling box.

and you cannot install the fan unless the box is fan rated or you install a fan rated box

 

Here's a start although it probably doesn't give enough information. This is the electrical wiring diagram that came with the house plans.



For now, I'm willing to make either switch the control switch, therefore, which one I select to deactivate/disable is flexible. I prefer it to be the one on the right (Switch #1). Actually, I'm pretty sure that the power comes in at the 'Switch #1' location as that's the same location where 2 other sets of lights are controlled. I guess I probably need to actually remove the switchplate covers and take a closer look to make a more accurate determination as to which one will need to be deactivated/disabled.

Also, I have noticed that there are several fan/light control switches that operate on only 2 wires (vs. 3). I actually have a whole nother thread going on a somewhat unrelated issue with that as well. http://forum.doityourself.com/lighti...ontroller.html

 

As I mentioned in my last post, they make controllers that will work on only 2 wires. Here's a link to the controller I MIGHT be using (it's the 4th one down - model #004ND)

The Modern Fan Company - Ceiling Fan Controls

I'm pretty sure that this location is already equipped with a fan rated box, but if not, I can easily swap it out.

 

With out answers to my previous question I can't really say. There are at least three ways it is likely it could be wired wired (plus a couple less likely). The answer depends on how it is wired.

 

Lutron Maestro 3-Way Dimmer and Fan Control, Almond, MA-LFQ3-AL

depending on how its wired one of these kits would work and allow you control from both places...

the unit you placed a link for that uses 2 wires is a remote control unit... yes it works but it works differently

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but it wont work for me b/c I also need the light portion of the switch to be non-dimmable for use with CFL bulbs. Yeah, I know I'm getting picky, but that's why I'm looking at that other switch. Also, I really don't NEED the switch at both locations.

 

ok just a thought...well you need to figure out where power comes in and we can help you...I would say switch one or a safe bet it comes in the ceiling box... switch 2 is probably just a switch loop of 12-3...so your power would almost need to come in the ceiling...

tell me what wires are in which boxes...and tell us what wires your switch has...

 

Ok... Here are some pictures I took of the switch wiring.

This is SWITCH #1 (based on the diagram provided below).


This is SWITCH #2


I didn't take any pictures of the wiring coming out of the ceiling where the fan is but there were 4 wires total:
1 Green
1 Red
1 Black
1 White

Here is a picture of the fan switch that I will be connecting. It's got 2 BLACK wires and 1 Green.



Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

We need to see all the wiring in each switch box.
How are those wires curently connected? Is one not connected?

 

Each of the 4 wires coming out of the ceiling is currently connected to the fan.

The RED is connected to the black/white fan wire
The BLACK is connected to the BLACK fan wire
The WHIE is connected to the White fan wire
The Green is connected to the bracket and green fan wire

 

That would indicate you have a switch controling the light and one controlling the fan. If one of the switch boxes has only one 3-way switch that means probably either the black or red wire to the fan is controlled by a switch that is not 3-way. You can replace that switch with your new switch and just abandon in place the two 3-way switches.

 

Im 99.9 percent sure this is a REMOTE CONTROL unit and you would need a fan or receiver unit to match it. In your other topic you said you had a hunter fan, So thats what im going off of

 

Gentlemen, I'm sure everyone here was right about something if not everything. But I decided to take the advice of hiring an electrician who I was able to get on a moment's notice - and thank goodness I did. The amount of wires that needed to be rearranged and figured out was pretty amazing. There's no way anyone could have properly talked me through this over the internet. Total damage: $100. Total time saved: MANY HOURS. Total lives saved: 1 (my own potentially.

Some things are just better left to pros or people with relvenat knowledge and experience which I do not have.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Glad you got it.

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