Simple Switch Wiring Question

[mmhouse]

Simple for you, I hope. I'm obviously no electrician.

I replaced a 3-way switch that was causing my lights to flicker after a number of years. I followed the instructions to the 'T' attaching the green wire to ground, the black wire to the one that was on the different colored screw on the old switch and the two red wires to the other two wires (that were on the two same colored screws).

Now my new switch works but the second switch does not.

Can I do any damage by just changing how the two reds and black are attached - trial and error style, or do I need to pick up a test meter and identify wires for certain?

I do know enough to locate and turn off the breaker before messing with it.

 

[Zeke]

You would think the black would be the the hot. So, which end are you on?

Does this do you any good?

BTW, if the fixture is in the middle of the switches, the wiring will be different.

See this for a complete set of diagrams.

 

[nehog]

...
Can I do any damage by just changing how the two reds and black are attached - trial and error style, or do I need to pick up a test meter and identify wires for certain?

I do know enough to locate and turn off the breaker before messing with it.

Yes, you can cause damage if you are not careful...

I'd use a meter to find what each wire is, start by looking at the other switch and the fixture they control, and see color codes.

 

[mmhouse]

What's happening now is that both switches need to be in the 'on' position in order for the lights to be on. Any other combination of switch positions and the lights are off. Does this throw any more light on the situation (pun intended)?

 

[mrb]

look in the box, one wire will come from one place, and the two other wires will go off together. The two go on the 2 brass screws, the wire that goes off somewhere else goes on the other color screw.

 

[wwaarrppeedd]

you have one of the travelers (the 2 wires that go between the switches) on the wrong screw. easy way to figure it out would be to ring the wires out with a meter with the power off of course. yes you can change the wire config. on the terminals (except the green ground) the only thing that will happen is it will change the position the switches need to be in to turn the light on untill you get it right.

 

[wwaarrppeedd]

also its possible that the new or other 3 way is bad, if ya have a meter (once again with the power off). you should have continuity between the black screw and 1 brass screw with the switch in one position and when you flip the switch to the other position you should ring from the black screw to the other brass screw. some times even new switches dont make contact inside like they should and only work 1 way just like the problem you are having.

 

[mmhouse]

you have one of the travelers (the 2 wires that go between the switches) on the wrong screw. easy way to figure it out would be to ring the wires out with a meter with the power off of course. yes you can change the wire config. on the terminals (except the green ground) the only thing that will happen is it will change the position the switches need to be in to turn the light on untill you get it right.

Okay thanks, I think that answers my question. I'll mess with it tonight until I get it right.

I know I need to get a meter. I've been intending to for a long time but don't need it that often so don't think to pick one up.

 

[mmhouse]

Thanks all, got it resolved. Apparently I had attached one of the travelers hooked to the hot wire. I put the black wire on the switch to the other black in the box and now it works fine.

So the answer to one of my original questions must be no, I am not going to mess anything up by not getting the wires hooked up incorrectly - because I apparently had one of the travelers hooked up to the hot wire originally.

I am electrically smart enough to get the ground right, but not much smarter.

Thanks again for the replies.