3 way Switch with 5 wires


  #1  
Old 07-04-20, 08:44 PM
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3 way Switch with 5 wires

Hi all,

Hope you are all well. I am changing a couple of 3 way switches where I've come across one of the light switch where there are 3 blacks, 1 red and 1 white. The black wire that has been capped off is the hot one, but there are 2 blacks, 1 red and 1 white that have been taped together. See attached picture.

I need to know where these wires will need to go on my switch?

The other switch that makes the 3 way switch only has 3 wires, 1 black, 1 red and 1 white.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you
J

<img src="https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/425x502/ws1_a166a3793215cf0f88625ad4e22e15fff2a98625.jpg" width="425" height="502"/>



 

Last edited by PJmax; 07-04-20 at 09:03 PM. Reason: resized picture
  #2  
Old 07-04-20, 09:07 PM
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Welcome to the forums.

It's customary to post the picture with the wiring attached.
Now we have to guess how it was connected.

Something does not make sense there.
We can see two white wires.
We can see three black wires and a red.
That means.....
red, black, white = three wire cable
black and white = two wire cable.
Where is a spare black wire coming from without its white wire ?

When you use three way switches..... the wire that comes off the dark/black screw must go back on the same terminal.
What color wire was on the dark screw of that switch ?
What color was on the dark screw at the other switch ?
 
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Old 07-04-20, 09:21 PM
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Hi Pete,

Thank you for the prompt response. The issue is I don't know how it was connected before as the person who was replacing the switch didn't finish the job and now I'm stuck trying to solve it myself. I've taken another picture for you from a different angle.

I have the feeling that one of the black wire that is travelling Upwards at the back of the box is the one that goes to the ceiling light
<img src="https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_4896_1ab786776f5cb104a751bf756961e90eb4c0328f.jpeg" width="1128" height="1504"/>


Thanks

J
 
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Old 07-04-20, 09:26 PM
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Ok..... thanks. I see all three cable.

Is there just 1) three wire (red, black and white) at the other end ?
That looks like that was a single pole switch and converted to three way system.
 
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Old 07-04-20, 09:31 PM
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Hi Pete,

Yes there is only 1 black, 1 red and 1 white at the other end. Again I don't know how they were hooked up since the guy left it like this. He did this on 2 set of 3 way switches for me but I thought I'll tackle this one first and I'll come back to you on the 2nd one later on.

Thanks

J
 
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Old 07-04-20, 09:34 PM
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Ok.

Put the live black wire on the black/dark screw of the switch.
Put red and white on the two brass screws. (either screw - no polarity on the travelers)
The black of the three wire cable goes to the remaining black wire.

On the far end........ red and white go on the brass screws and black goes on the black/dark screw.
 
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Old 07-04-20, 09:43 PM
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Thank you very much Pete. I'll give it a go in the morning.

J
 
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Old 07-05-20, 05:47 PM
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Hi Pete,

All good.

Thank you very much.
 
 

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