3 way dimmer application

I am replacing (1) of (2) existing 3-way Switch's that previously controlled the top half of a receptacle. The new install will include a 3-way dimmer that will now control newly installed recessed lights.

I replaced the original receptacle that had the shortning tab removed with a new receptacle with tab intact.

I am having challenges bringing power to my new 3 way lutron dimmer.

If I wired the new receptacle identifical to the original installlation I assume it will be switched, which i no longer want to do.

I'm also a little confused about where i tie the Red traveler from the existing 3-way switch and to which if any conductors this should be tied into.

I have all neutrals at the new dimmer wire-nutted together, red traveler connected to one terminal at the dimmer, the hot to my lights connected at the 2nd terminal at the dimmer, and the incoming hot power connected to the 3rd terminal at the dimmer.

Thanks,
Matt

 

The hot to the lights should be on the common of one of the three way switches and incoming power should be on the other three way switch's common. It sounds like you have them on the same switch.

As to the receptacle there should have been one always hot and one switched to the receptacle. The always hot should have remained on the receptacle. The switched should have been connected to the new light. No other wires should have been touched.

 

thanks Ray...I'm thinking and trying right now.

FYI, I did leave the receptacle lower half wiring alone. At the Receptacle, there were (3) Cable inside the work box.

Cable (A) had the black hot connected to the upper brass terminal and was terminated at the old 3 way switch. The white neutral was wire nutted to Black hots at the receptacle and wire nutted to the white neutrals at the 3 way switch.

I did not ring out the other 2 Cables - I assume one cable comes from another receptacle and the other comes from the 2nd existing/remaining 3 way.

 

Just because a wire is white does not mean it is a neutral. How many 2-conductor and how many 3-conductor cables at the switch box and what colors were connected to the travelers and which to the common. That would indicate a switch loop. Were there any 3-conductor cables at the receptacle?

How many 2-conductor and how many 3-conductor cables at the other switch? How is it wired?

 

There are no 3 Conductor Cables at the Receptacle.

Room 1 has an existing 3 Way Switch that stays. It only has one (3) conductor cable that ties into Room (2)'s 3 Way Switch. The switch is wired black, red, white. I rung these out and confirmed they terminate at Room (2)s three way switch.

Receptacle in question has (3) cables entering. All cables are (2) conductor. Only (1) of these cables travels to a Switch. As you stated not all whites are neutral, which I assumed meant the White Wire at the receptacle box that was wire nutted to the Black Wires must have been Hot. This White-hot traveled to Room (2) but was wire nutted to the white "neutrals" at Room 2's Switch Box. The Black Wire associated with this Cable was connected to the receptacle top brass terminal. I do not know where the (2) white conductor cables originate from that are terminated to the Silver Terminals at this Receptacle.

 

You still haven't told me what color wire is used at each switch. I think I can sort this out but need to know the color for the common.

 

Ray,

This has turned into a beast. The original configuration consisted of (2) 3 - Way Switches that controlled the top half of a receptacle.

I replaced the receptacle since the shortning tab was removed and I installed six overhead recessed lights. My intention is to install a 3 Way Dimmer at Switch 2.

Switch 1: Red, Black, White
Switch 2: Black, Black, Red - Whites were all wire-nutted.

There is one additional receptacle in line before we reach the receptacle and switch in question.

 

You posted as I was posting. The forum reduces my original drawing size. For full size click here: http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...y_oldrecep.jpg

If you want I will give you detailed written instructions or just ask questions.

Edit: At the receptacle tie all whites together and pigtail to the receptacle. Tie all blacks together and pigtail to the receptacle.

At the first switch:
Connect the black from the receptacle to the common to the second switch.

Connect the neutral from the receptacle to the neutral from the light

Connect the black of the light to the common of the switch.

Connect the travelers from the second switch to the travelers from the first switch.

I am assuming the lights go to the first switch box. That is the easiest.

 

Ray - I've been officially given the stop work notice for dinner. I'll keep at it later and compare w/ your diagram. Thank you for you efforts - I'll keep you posted.

Matt

 

And I have dinner in the oven. May not be back till tomorrow but others may weigh in.

 

Here is a slightly cleaned up diagram.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...oldrecep-2.jpg

 

The other item you will have to add in here is the white conductor for three way useage you have to remark the white conductor and normally I used them for common not on shuttle { traveller }.

And yeah there is few diffrent way you can get this hook up correct.

And find that red conductor to the receptale and wirenut them together to become unswitched verison { If you want to keep switched recetptales let us know one of us can make a drawing for it }

Merci.
Marc

 

Ray,

In your diagram are you referring to the RED wire as Common?

 

Thanks Ray. Lights are on and dimmable and operate from either switch. I appreciate your support.

 

Glad it worked for you. Thanks for letting us know.