| How to Replace a 3 Way Switch and the dangers | | | | Figure 3. |
| of not calling an Electrical Professional | | | | |
| As a Licensed Electrical Contractor I find the most | | | | Figure 4. |
| common calls I receive from | | | | |
| “Do-It-Yourselfer’s” is about changing | | | | Step 1 |
| a switch or receptacle. I hope by reading this | | | | The first and most important step is to turn off |
| article I can shed some light on your task at hand. | | | | the circuit that you will be working on. Find the |
| Since it can be quite confusing even for some | | | | right breaker in the breaker box and flip it to the |
| electricians, I am going to some detail on the 3 | | | | "Off" position. If you have a fuse box, find the |
| way switch topic. Please read through the | | | | right fuse and remove it completely from the |
| complete article to get a good grasp of the how | | | | panel. You can verify that the correct circuit has |
| a 3 way switch is wired. | | | | been turned off if the light controlled by the |
| | | | switch no longer works. |
| Here are a couple scenarios of the main calls I get | | | | Step 2 |
| from my customers…. | | | | The next step is to remove the cover and switch |
| “I replaced my 3 way switches and now the | | | | from the box. |
| bedroom lights turn off when I flip the | | | | Step 3 |
| switch”. There are a few reasons for this. But | | | | Verify there is no power in the box. This can be |
| the most common reason is. | | | | done with a tic tester available at Lowes or Home |
| When the homeowner disconnected the switch | | | | Depot. |
| they took splices apart in the box and when they | | | | Step 4 |
| reconnected them they were not in the proper | | | | This is the step that can cause you a big |
| configuration. This can be quite dangerous and | | | | headache so follow it carefully. Before you |
| expensive. In one case the homeowner had his | | | | disconnect the switch determine which wire is |
| brand new plasma TV and Stereo system | | | | connected to the common terminal on the 3 way |
| totally… “Fried” When he reconnected | | | | switch. (The common terminal is usually copper or |
| his splices he hooked up 220 volts to that outlet. | | | | brown). Mark this wire with tape. Now disconnect |
| “I replaced my 3 way switches for my hall. | | | | the two traveler wires. The screws they are |
| Now when I turn the light off at one end of the | | | | under are the same color. (Usually silver or brass) |
| hall, I can’t turn it back on from the | | | | You might also have a ground wire connected to |
| other”. | | | | your switch. (Usually a green or bare copper wire) |
| This is usually a simple fix. There is a pair of wires | | | | If there is a ground disconnect it now. If |
| called “travelers” and in this situation they | | | | everything is correct you should have now have |
| are usually reversed with the common wire. | | | | 3 or 4 wires hanging out of the box. |
| I also receive numerous calls about this from | | | | Step 5 |
| general contractors, handymen, maintenance | | | | Take your new 3 way switch and locate the |
| personal, etc… | | | | common screw. Now take the wire that you |
| Now before we go any further with this article. I | | | | marked with tape and connect to this screw. The |
| want you to understand that I am not writing this | | | | next step is to connect your two traveler wires |
| article to teach you how to repair or replace a 3 | | | | to the other two screws. It does not matter |
| way switch or 3 way systems. I am writing to | | | | which wire goes to which screw as long as there |
| try and make the point that this is one of those | | | | is only one wire under the screw. If you have a |
| situations where you can end up in some real hot | | | | ground wire you should now connect it to the |
| water, and you should call a service professional if | | | | green screw. |
| you do not have the proper electrical knowledge. | | | | Step 6 |
| There are many ways to wire a 3 way system. I | | | | To be safe you can wrap tape around the switch. |
| am going to show you 3 configurations of a 3 | | | | Make sure you cover the screws so they |
| way system. | | | | don’t short to the box. Put the switch and |
| Do not confuse this with a 4 way system!!! (A | | | | the plate back in the box. At this point you can |
| system with 3 or more switches) | | | | turn on the power. |
| The First thing you need to know. A 3 way | | | | Step 6 |
| system only has 2 switches. If you have any | | | | Here is a simple test to make sure that your 3 |
| more or less you are not looking at a 3 way | | | | way system is operating properly. |
| system. | | | | **Please Remember to be careful and read all |
| Figure 1 (Example 3 way switch) | | | | installation instructions supplied with materials when |
| | | | tackling your project. |
| Figure 2 | | | | Please find a professional to install or help with |
| | | | your project if you are unsure of your abilities. |