Wiring advice

[ironsniper1]

Hey all I am replacing a light switch and the old switch had one white wire and two black wires attached, now when I wire it up the switch will not work at all and the other switch that controls the same light does not work,

Now behind the old switch is what looks like a second set of wires one red and one white both are wrapped in black tape

Could the switch had done something else in the past and someone did not wire it back up correctly when they replaced the switch?

[Ted S.]

Whatever you do, don't cut the blue wire!

 

I'm not elecrical savvy, but I imagine pics would be helpful if possible.

[ironsniper1]

Edited September 23, 2014 by luke9511

[Dirtshooter]

This may sound dumb, but just because it is a new switch doesn't mean it works. The black wires are they hooked up like the white one as around a screw and not the type that inserts? If they are make sure they are stripped far enough and are making contact. And this is not being mean, but also make sure the light bulb is good. Crazier things happen. Hope this helps, Mac Also make sure it hasn't thrown a breaker or blown a fuse, in other words make sure you have electricity at the switch.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Dirtshooter

[Omega]

You may have the black wires reversed. I think you may need a three way switch, which you may have, one of the black wires comes from the other switch and the other is hot.

Edit for link: http://www.electrical-online.com/3wayswitch/ Edited September 23, 2014 by Omega

[ironsniper1]

This may sound dumb, but just because it is a new switch doesn't mean it works. The black wires are they hooked up like the white one as around a screw and not the type that inserts? If they are make sure they are stripped far enough and are making contact. And this is not being mean, but also make sure the light bulb is good. Crazier things happen. Hope this helps, Mac Also make sure it hasn't thrown a breaker or blown a fuse, in other words make sure you have electricity at the switch.

all of that is good and bulbs are good, the wires were hooked up differently at first but then I put both black wires in the same side and the white wire by itself and now the light works but if the switch upstairs is off the one downstairs won't wirk

[Ted S.]

Is the breaker switched back on?

[ironsniper1]

Is the breaker switched back on?

of course

[RED333]

WOW, you live in an old house, I aint seen cloth wrapped in years. The wire does not bend easy does it?

Now on to your question, use the link that Omega posted. Do do have a VOM(volt/ohm) meter?

[dralarms]

You have a 3 way circuit. IOW, you have 2 switches cobtrolling the same light.

[ironsniper1]

WOW, you live in an old house, I aint seen cloth wrapped in years. The wire does not bend easy does it?
Now on to your question, use the link that Omega posted. Do do have a VOM(volt/ohm) meter?

Yes I do

You have a 3 way circuit. IOW, you have 2 switches cobtrolling the same light.

do I need a different switch or do I have wired up wrong?

[McGarrett]

I used to be an electrician. Can you describe the circumstances leading up to changing the switch? Did it work right before and then the switch went bad?

 

That's 3 way switch. The 2 gold terminals are for the "travelers" and the black terminal is for the hot on one switch and the other one's "switchleg". On a 3 way you hot one switch on the black terminal run 2 wires from the gold terminals on one switch to the gold terminals on the other switch. Then from the black terminal on the 2nd switch up to your light.

 

Your pics are very helpful but without a voltmeter it is hard to say exactly what's up. If you don't have a meter for starters I would try switching the 2 black wires. I'll try to help you through it. I'll be on here for a while tonight.

 

Edit: you can pm me if you think that might be easier.

Edited September 24, 2014 by McGarrett

[dralarms]

Yes, you need a 3 way switch. Then wire it back exactly the way it was in the beginning.

[McGarrett]

Luke, the suspense is killing us.

[Peace]

^^   :whistle: let us know how you turn out.

[ironsniper1]

Yes, you need a 3 way switch. Then wire it back exactly the way it was in the beginning.

i did at first and both switches stopped working

[McGarrett]

Did you switch the black wires? i think that will fix it. Just leave the white where it is now. Let me know what happens.

[dralarms]

If you cant get a 3 way tonight just nut the blacks together and the other switch should work.

[nightrunner]

Most likely, the white is the power, and the two blacks are the travelers. Put the white wire on the bottom screw on the other side of the switch, it should be black screw. Then see if it works, if one switch works and the other doesn't, just swap the black wires and it will work.


I used to be a residential electrician.

[McGarrett]

The new switch in the pic is a 3 way.

[Wingshooter]

Without a voltmeter aren't you suppose to touch the wire to your tongue to see if it's hot?







Ok... nobody try that. Lol

[McGarrett]

I think he has it where one switch works now if the other is in a certain position. I am trying to get him to switch the blacks and tell me what happens.

[Peace]

If one switch is acting as a Master, you may have power on a traveler.  "may"

[ironsniper1]

I think he has it where one switch works now if the other is in a certain position. I am trying to get him to switch the blacks and tell me what happens.

i will let you know tomorrow when i try it then

[ironsniper1]

Ok so I switched the wires (pictures attached) and still the same thing, if the light is turned off at the top of the stairs then the switch at the bottom of the stairs does not work

Edited September 24, 2014 by luke9511