How to eliminate a 3 way switch?

[Junkman]

In one room, there is a ceiling fan that originally had a 3 way switch located at each doorway into the room. The fan switch on one wall was replaced with a regular 3 way switch, and a new fan with a fan switch was installed at the other wall switch panel. The fan works correctly using it this way, however, I would like to eliminate the other switch, because sometimes someone uses it to turn off the fan, and it disables the fan switch until the one that they turned off is turned back on. Can I eliminate this switch be tying the wires together, and if so, how?

 

[Jim greengo]

Depends on how its wired,is one of the switches dead ended with only 3 wires going to it?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So someone replaced a 3-way with a single pole. Why not just put a 3-way back in there.

 

[Junkman]

The thought is to add a plug into that slot once the 3 way is discontinued. There is no need for the 3 way any longer.

 

[Innovate1]

To answer the original question - yes, it's as simple as connecting the two wires that are connected now by the switch when in the position that operates the fan. It sounds like there are wires in the box that are powered all the time. If so you could add a receptacle.

 

[Innovate1]

The black screw is typically the common terminal. It connects to one of the other two terminals depending on the position of the switch.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The thought is to add a plug into that slot once the 3 way is discontinued. There is no need for the 3 way any longer.

In order to you to install a receptacle in it's place you need a neutral wire.
Not all 3 way boxes have them.

 

[Junkman]

The box has both hot wires tied together, a neutral, and the bare copper ground wire. thanks

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The thought is to add a plug into that slot once the 3 way is discontinued. There is no need for the 3 way any longer.

What would you use an outlet high up on the wall for?

The box has both hot wires tied together, a neutral, and the bare copper ground wire. thanks

Are you sure its a neutral? Just because its white doesnt mean its a neutral. Many times one of the travellers is white... have you tested between a hot leg and the white wire to make sure its a neutral?

 

[Junkman]

Yes, I have tested the white and it is a neutral. There is a hot wire going to the switch that originates in the box, and a red and a black coming down from the attic that goes to the switch also. I was thinking that the red and the black that are coming down from the attic could be joined, and the hot moved to the new outlet for one side.

 

[Jim greengo]

From the picture that looks like the 1st 3w in line.
I'd remove the 3w switch and replace it using the black common wire and 1 of the travelers for other side of switch.
Then I'd go to the box where the other 3w was and tie the same traveler together with the common wire off of that 3w.