Strange 3 way switch/light combination


  #1  
Old 03-16-16, 07:01 AM
W
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 251
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Strange 3 way switch/light combination

I have a simple light with just two connection terminals on it in my garage ceiling. It can be turned on/off with either of two switches. The wires to it are
two white wires to one terminal on the light, and one black and one red wire to the other terminal on the light.

Is this wired correctly? It works, but does not seem to match any of the wiring diagrams I have seen for a light operated by 3 way switches?

Any help, thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 03-16-16, 07:45 AM
Z
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,386
Received 124 Upvotes on 115 Posts
hi walkerstoo –

I’m no electrician to say the least. I just try to follow this stuff to keep the old brain from decaying –lol. But I wonder if you actually have a second light or some other device connected to the 3-way switches. Maybe something that’s no longer is use or is hidden or something?

I’m just wondering if your setup isn’t like this:

3-Way Switch Wiring Diagram
 
  #3  
Old 03-16-16, 07:56 AM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,125
Received 1,263 Upvotes on 1,204 Posts
If you turn the light on from one switch, can you turn it off then from the other? It sounds to me like you have two different circuits powering this light if there isn't another light somewhere like zoesdad mentioned.
 
  #4  
Old 03-16-16, 01:07 PM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
Is this individual wires in conduit or is it cable?
 
  #5  
Old 03-16-16, 02:00 PM
W
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 251
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
strange 3 way wiring

It appears to be cable, the black and red wire appear to be two strand wire

the two white wires I am not sure, both come out of back of junction box were very close wired to light fixture.
 
  #6  
Old 03-16-16, 05:47 PM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
What is two strand wire? Please post a picture. What you are saying doesn't seem to make sense. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/li...rt-images.html
 
  #7  
Old 03-17-16, 08:31 AM
W
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 251
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Smile latest on strange 3 way switch/light combination

Thanks for all the help and comments. Got it wired back up and working
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: