2 way switches in 3 way


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Old 01-10-17, 12:22 PM
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2 way switches in 3 way

I bought an old house and went to replace a light in the dining room. After removing the old light I failed to note how it was wired and now I'm stumped. The light is controlled by 2 different switches. Both switches are 2 way switches with a hot and common line only. So at the light I have 2 black and 2 white wires. Only 1 black appears to be hot. How do I wire this so both switches work the light?
 

Last edited by Nodgiles; 01-10-17 at 12:46 PM.
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Old 01-10-17, 01:19 PM
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No such thing as a 2-way switch. Do you mean it just has two screws (not counting ground).
 
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Old 01-10-17, 07:21 PM
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Does it say common on the switch or do you mean there is a hot (black) and a neutral (white) at switch?

Mod Note: A white connected to a single pole switch along with a black is part of a switch loop. It is not a neutral.
 

Last edited by pcboss; 01-15-17 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 01-11-17, 03:29 AM
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If the light is controlled by two different switches, you have three way switches. They will have a common (black or andonized) screw and two brass screws. Remove the power from the circuit and pull the two switches from their box and post pictures of them and the ceiling box wiring.
 
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Old 01-15-17, 10:18 AM
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If the original switches have two terminals each and were wired as either-for-on or as master-slave then you will not be able to convert to 3 way switching.
 
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Old 01-15-17, 01:37 PM
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After five days it appears that Nodgiles is another one-post wonder. Seems to be fairly common among the Facebook members.
 
 

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