Since a 2 switch system has 3 wires to be connected to 3 terminals at each box it works out that only 1 out of 9 possibilities will work. Ask the builder dec 19 2014 at 430 am.
Charleston Home Inspector Explains How To Wire A Three Way
3 way switch troubleshooting multimeter. Use a non contact voltage meter to check and see if you have power to the switch. Only one of them will register resistance or if you have a continuity tester will cause a beep. 5 as with the first box connect the common wire to the common terminal on the new switch. Touch the other probe each of the three wires. How three way switches work. Set your multimeter to infinite resistance or to continuity.
With a three. Set the electrical tester to the 120 volt ac alternating current setting. There should be continuity between the common terminal and only one of the traveler terminals. If you find the second traveler shows continuity with the toggle in one direction and not the other the switch is probably functioning properly. Well now ive done it. A three way switch will always have power at two poles.
Remove the two 3 way switches so you can access the switch terminalsthe wire connections do not have to be removed. There are only three possible ways to connect the wires and one of the three shown in. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. If the meter shows continuity with the toggle in one direction and not the other move the probe from that traveler terminal to the other one and test again. Using a continuity tester check continuity between the common black terminal and each of the traveler terminals brass colored of each 3 way switch. How to troubleshoot an improperly wired 3 way switch by.
To test a 3 way switch connect one meter probe to the common terminal and the other to one of the travelers. Locate the wire which is supplying power to the circuit by touching 1 of the probes to the ground bare or green wire and the other probe to each of the 6 wires one at a time until you get a reading of 120 volts. You can use a voltage tester to find out. 3 way switch troubleshooting diagrams. Flip the switch toggle one way and then the other. Connect the other two wires to.
You have identified the common wire for this box. Touch one of the probes of the multimeter to a known ground such as the metal outlet box or bare ground wire. Troubleshooting a 3 way switch is easy with a multimeter. Troubleshooting three way switches will involve determining whether the switch is bad or not. Test a 3 way switchturn off power to the switches at the circuit breaker and using a tester make sure power is off. The simple trick is to rotate the three wires around the switch screws just like kids playing musical chairs.
Do not touch any of the wires previously removed with anything but the meter probes as instructed. One would be for the power. By by tim carter and tribune content agency. If however you dont find any. How complicated can 3 way switch troubleshooting be.
Gallery of 3 Way Switch Troubleshooting Multimeter
