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Posted by Percival P. Cassidy on October 22, 2009, 9:51 am
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
> John Grabowski wrote:
>
>>> http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm
>>> shows 8 (eight!!) different ways of wiring 3-way switches.
>>> I am trying to figure out how the switches for our patio lights (two
>>> separate fixtures controlled by the same two switches) were wired.
>>> Each switch has two black wires and one red wire -- no white with
>>> black tape at either switch. There are neutrals (several, wire-nutted
>>> together) in each box, but they are not connected to anything else in
>>> the box. The only configurations shown at the above Web site with no
>>> black-taped white wires are Option 1 "Fixture Controlled by Two
>>> Switches: Power Through a Switch Box" and Option 5 "End-of-Run Lights
>>> Controlled by Two Three-Way Switches"; but I can't see what the
>>> difference is between those two configurations anyway.
>>> Any other possibility for 3-way switch wiring without black-taped white?
>
>> *Let's try a different approach. What are you trying to accomplish?
>> Are you having problems with the existing wiring?
>
> I am returning to a problem I posted here 4 1/2 years ago under the
> title "weird pilot light behavior." I couldn't find it again in Google
> except where it was reproduced at:
>
>
http://www.homegardenguides.com/garden-forum/home-repairs-forum/69787-weird-pilot-light-behavior.html
>
>
> To summarize:
>
> Both 3-way switches (one in the house, the other in the garage) operate
> the patio lights just fine, but I have been unable to understand the
> behavior of the integral pilot lights. NB: *pilot lights," which should
> be ON when the lights are on, OFF when the lights are off.
>
> I had not realized until a few days ago that there are so many possible
> configurations of 3-way switching. I posted my message here thinking
> that my lights and switches might be wired in an uncommon configuration
> that would explain the behavior of the pilot lights.
>
> The switches are Pass & Seymour/Legrand TM83PLICC with integral LED
> pilot lights. The circuit diagram shows one end of the LEDs connected to
> a silver-colored screw labeled NEU and the other end connected through
> resistors to each of the brass screws labeled 3W. There are also a black
> COM screw and a green screw with the standard Ground marking.
>
> I substituted these switches for the original ones that had no pilot
> lights and added the connections from the silver-colored screws to the
> whites in each box.
>
> The pilot light of the switch in the house is ON in one position of the
> switch, OFF in the other position of the switch, regardless of the
> position of the switch in the garage. The COMmon of this switch is where
> power is supplied to the circuit.
>
> The pilot light of the switch in the garage glows dimly, irrespective of
> the position of either switch -- except when there is no bulb in any of
> the fittings.
>
> The Pass & Seymour wiring diagram shows such a switch only at the point
> where power is supplied to the system but a note says that the switches
> can be used in both positions.
I disconnected all but the neutral and ground conductors from the switch
in the house, then touched the hot conductor to the two traveler screws
in turn. The LED illuminated in one case but not in the other. I popped
the rocker part of the switch and found that one of the connectors from
the LED unit was not making contact with its corresponding traveler
terminal. Once I remedied this deficiency all was OK.
Perce
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