strange 3 way switch wiring
#1
11-13-21, 05:29 PM
strange 3 way switch wiring
I am replacing a three way switch with a smart three way switch. The new switch has a line, 2 travellers, ground and white cable. The three way switch I am replacing has a hot or line connected to the black screw and a red and black travellers. This is what is expected and I have changed a few of them. THERE IS HOWEVER ANOTHER BLACK JUMPER WIRE DIRECTLY CONNECTING THE BLACK LINE SCREW TO ONE OF THE TRAVELLERS (the one on the same side of the switch). I connected the smart switch as it should be connected but when I turn it on the light blinks and then goes out. If however I add the jumper between the line and one on the travellers the switch works perfectly. Everything works. I am pretty good with electricity but can not for the life of me figure this one out.
BTW - the other switch in this circuit is an old Intermatic timer switch that has three black leads (hot and two travellers I assume)
Thanks for any help.
BTW - the other switch in this circuit is an old Intermatic timer switch that has three black leads (hot and two travellers I assume)
Thanks for any help.
#2
11-13-21, 06:21 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
Here's what you need to remember..... in most cases......there is a common/dark screw at each end of the circuit. At one end the common goes to the lights. At the other end common goes to power.
You may be at the end where the common goes to the lights. That means your system may only work if the switches are in a certain position. Having a smart switch on one end and a timer on the other could cause problems.
There are no certain colors to a three way switch system. Only the common wire at either end is a constant. If you wanted further help identifying the circuit..... we'd need to see pictures of the wiring at both ends.
Here's what you need to remember..... in most cases......there is a common/dark screw at each end of the circuit. At one end the common goes to the lights. At the other end common goes to power.
You may be at the end where the common goes to the lights. That means your system may only work if the switches are in a certain position. Having a smart switch on one end and a timer on the other could cause problems.
There are no certain colors to a three way switch system. Only the common wire at either end is a constant. If you wanted further help identifying the circuit..... we'd need to see pictures of the wiring at both ends.
#3
11-13-21, 08:21 PM
Thanks - I think the timer is the issue so I plan to remove the timer with a normal 3 way and remove the jumper switch.
It is working the right now with the jumper but, obviously, I really do not need the timer anymore.
It is working the right now with the jumper but, obviously, I really do not need the timer anymore.
#4
11-14-21, 08:33 AM
UPDATE - problem solved showing the solution incase anyone else encounters this (probably not but anyways). The older digital switch that can be programmed is an AUBE technologies m1032. It is a switch that can be used as a three way switch in two ways: 1. using a normal three way switch with a jumper between the line and one of the travellers or 2. a single pole switch (somehow the digital switch serves the purpose to control the three way function). When I originally installed the digital switch in the first way so I added the jumper wire. When I replaced this three way with a new smart wifi switch the jumper was still necessary. Today I removed the old digital switch and replaced it with a normal three way and then removed the jumper on the smart switch and everything works perfectly.
Link to the AUBE switch instructions:https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11...3w.html#manual
Link to the AUBE switch instructions:https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11...3w.html#manual
#5
11-14-21, 05:52 PM
Group Moderator
