3-way, 2 lights, dimmer - not working correctly


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Old 01-25-15, 12:56 PM
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Unhappy 3-way, 2 lights, dimmer - not working correctly

I used the attached diagram from the web and it isn't working for me. On one switch I get one light, and its bright. On the other switch(Dimmer) I get two lights not very bright. What am I doing wrong? My 14/2 is coming in to the dimmer first. It is a Lutron contour CTCL-153P(3-way) then a 14/3 to first light, a 14/3 to next light, and 14/3 to a 3-way switch.

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Old 01-25-15, 02:17 PM
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The black of your power in cable must go to the common of the left switch. The wire on the common of the right switch must go to the black of both lights.
 
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Old 01-25-15, 03:17 PM
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The power is coming into the dimmer first. I have a red, a black and a red/white stripped line.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 05:50 AM
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Can someone make me a simple diagram with the power coming into the 3-way dimmer first - 14/3 to light-14/3 to next light-14/3 to 3-way switch - end of run? The dimmer has a red,black and red/white line.

I would greatly appreciate it. I don't know why the diagram I have isn't working for my.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 05:58 AM
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Give me a couple of hours and I'll give it a shot.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 07:05 AM
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Thank you for your time Ray!
 
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Old 01-27-15, 07:18 AM
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Here is the simplest way. If you can't run a cable directly between the two switch boxes post back with your requirements and we will go from there.

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Here is another way that meets 2011 NEC and does not need a 4-conductor cable to meet 2011 NEC that requires a neutral at both switch boxes.

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Last edited by ray2047; 01-27-15 at 10:15 AM.
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Old 01-27-15, 11:34 AM
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My problem is this. My lines are already run and walls closed up. I ran all my lines as the first diagram I first posted. Simple... so I thought. Again they run as follows. 14/2 power source to 3-way dimmer switch - 14/3 to light no.1 14/3 to light no.2 14/3 to 3-way switch.

From your diagrams it looks like I need a fourth line between the lights. Am I screwed?

Thx

Todd
 
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Old 01-27-15, 11:36 AM
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Do the two dimmers both require a neutral? Tell us all the wires on each dimmer and make and model#.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 11:39 AM
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If you have an unfinished attic above walls do not need to be opened to add cables.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 12:39 PM
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Well I'm stumped. Can you post a link to where you got that diagram?

Using the cables you have here is as close as I got. No way to power the left light. If you see a way let me know. Note position of common will vary with the manufacturer of the switch. I chose position of common that is easiest for me to diagram. Your common position on the switch may vary. My diagram does not match the one you posted but it just didn't look right and even tripping its size I had trouble following it.. Maybe a pro can help.

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Old 01-27-15, 12:50 PM
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I found it here: ➤3 Way Switch 2 Lights 6 3 2 way light switch - Schematic.pics

As I stated There is only one dimmer where the power comes in. The diagram doesn't have any dimmers. It is over an island so I don't have access to wires, unless I cut a hole in the sheetrock ceiling.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 01:02 PM
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That is a less than ideal way to wire a circuit and it is also incorrect.
You would need a four wire cable between the two lights.



What happened to yesterdays 4 way foray that I drew a diagram for ?
 
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Old 01-27-15, 01:35 PM
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Forget dimmers for now. If it won't work for regular switches then it won't work for dimmers either. For now we just need to gret it to work with switches.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 02:05 PM
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Looked at the original diagram and it is fatally flawed. The neutal of the second light is not connected to a neutral.

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Do you have an unfinished attic above?
 
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Old 01-27-15, 02:34 PM
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A fourth conductor is needed. You are going to need to rework the cables. The easiest way is power to SW1, xx-3 from Sw1 to Sw2, from Sw2 to fixtures with xx-2 cable.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 03:19 PM
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This is what PCBoss is describing:


Attachment 45637

You would abandon the cable between the left switch and the left light.

The red wire of the cable between the right switch and the right light would not be used.

The red wire of the 3-conductor cable between the lights would not be used.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 04:16 PM
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Thanks Pete, I have not gotten to the 4-way yet but thank you for the diagram. I will let you know how it goes.
 
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Old 01-27-15, 04:30 PM
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Thanks for your help guys. I guess I will have to rework it. This looks like my best solution. I'm going to have to open the ceiling add a wire between the 2 lights. They are only 2 feet apart. I don't have the option to open the wall or use a crawl space.

http://www.buildmyowncabin.com/electrical/img14.gif
 
 

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