I have a 3-way switch that when used will initially dim other fixtures on the same circuit for a moment and then trip the breaker. I checked both 3-ways to see if they were wired the same way and they were. That is as far as I went because I did not have my ladders with me , the electrician that wired the new house was coming Monday , and I was on duty as a firefighter at the time. However it is bothering me because I did not fix it and I was wanting to know if you think my next guess would have possibly been right.It appears as though the power goes to the fixture and then down to the 3-way. I was wondering if they connected the 2 whites (being used as travelers) coming from each 3-way to the grounded wire from the homerun would cause this dimming and sudden trip.
3-way dims other fixture before tripping breaker
- Thread starter df3557
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
It is very possible that one three way is made up with the white as a traveler and the other three way uses the white as a neutral. Thus Kaboom---I won't be surprised if the dimmer will need replacing also.
tallgirl
Senior Member
- Location
- Glendale, WI
- Occupation
- Controls Systems firmware engineer
I doubt it's that simple of a mistake. That the other fixtures dim, rather than go out, tells me that it's not that kind of mis-wire. If everything went very dark, then the breaker tripped I'd be inclined to think it's some kind of short.
What I'd suggest is to turn off everything else on that circuit, then turn on the 3-way. If the breaker doesn't trip, slowly turn the other things on that circuit back on.
What I'd suggest is to turn off everything else on that circuit, then turn on the 3-way. If the breaker doesn't trip, slowly turn the other things on that circuit back on.
jaylectricity
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- licensed journeyman electrician
tallgirl said:
Some breakers don't trip instantaneously. Old equipment is most often the culprit, but distance to panel can play a part as well due to increased resistance.
My vote is the neutral is hooked up to one of the three-ways.
quogueelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- new york
dimming circuit
dimming circuit
The dimming circuit is probably caused by a high resistance short circuit. You need to call a qualified electrician to investigate the problem. My suggestion is to amprobe the ckt at the panel when you throw the switch to see what the circuit is drawing upon the switch turning on. Probably a sheetrock screw or crushed wire
dimming circuit
The dimming circuit is probably caused by a high resistance short circuit. You need to call a qualified electrician to investigate the problem. My suggestion is to amprobe the ckt at the panel when you throw the switch to see what the circuit is drawing upon the switch turning on. Probably a sheetrock screw or crushed wire
- Status