3 way switch never worked as 3 way, find follower?

[JLawrence08648]

I've been doing Handyman work for a family once a week for 6 months, doors, locks, sheetrock, painting, plumbing, replacing elect switches, moulding, tile, drain cleaning,.....

Though I'm good, electric is not my strength though I've run wire, hooked up outlet and switches, added outlets to circuits, replaced panel boxes, I have zero experience with 3 way switches.

They' family informed me they have 3 3 way switches that don't work as a 3 way, 2 in the older section of the house 1955, upstairs steps; and dining room; the other in a 2 year conversion of basement to living quarters.

Would a good guess be the follower is not hooked to the right terminal? Which terminal should it be hooked to? and how do you find the follower? I do have a sound generator.

Which terminal should the power be hooked to? Should one of the wires always be hot at each switch?

 

[Big_3_Only]

There's a bunch of questions there. First, is there actually three wires at the switches in question? And if so, are there actually 3 way switches being used? If both of those are yes, then I'd do a continuity test to find your common wire. Too many people call each of those wires different things which confuses them all as well as they use different color wires for each as well. So it's not just neutral/white, hot/black, and red/common. You can obviously tell which one is hot with a tester and then which one is the common with either a continuity test. Wiring can be confusing for even seasoned pros so don't feel bad.

 

[Donald]

My guess is they are 3 way switches but not 3 conductor wire between the switches. Three conductor plus ground. Black & red for hot and white for neutral and ground. Two wire going to fixture and bringing in power.

 

[George7941]

"traveller", not "follower". There will be two traveller wires.

Almost certainly miswiring is the cause. You are going to have to do your homework and trace out each wire with your toner. If you can post up a diagram after you trace the wires, we can help you.

Yes, there will be one wire hot at each switch, with the switches hooked up. With the switches disconnected, there will be only one hot wire.

The common terminal of each switch is important, and they are of a different colour, usually black, than the other two terminals. You have to identify the common terminals as the first step in resolving three way switch issues.

 

[Kestas]

I've been successful reverse-engineering three-way (and four-way) switches in my house to rewire them properly.

First, as mentioned above, make sure three-way switches are used.

Second, take everything apart, find the live wires, and ohm out the wiring to find out how everything is wired, including the switches. Make a sketch.

Compare your sketch with on-line examples of how it should be wired. If you can follow wiring diagrams, you should be able to figure it out.

 

[Dan55]

The first way to tell if you have a 3 way toggle switch , there is no on or off.

3 way switches are used in pairs

You can control a light(s) from 3 locations if you put a 4 way in between . 4 locations if you put 2 4ways in between 2 three ways etc

If you have a 3way with two wires connected it's being used as a single pole switch

 

[JLawrence08648]

This has been helpful. I thank you. I go there every Sunday and will then do some testing, identifying, and make a sketch.