new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

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lucky1974

Senior Member
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Michigan
First i would like to say hello to all the members.I have be browsing your site for many months, and it is a great source of info.Just so you may know my background, I am a fourth year industrial electrician apprentice(big 3).I replaced a 3-way switch with a lighted decora 3-way.I ran into something i have never seen before don't know if its a defect or a new product.This switch has 3 positions:
position 1:switch off;internal switch light on;switch output off
position 2:switch midway;internal switch off;switch output off
position 3:switch on;internal light off;
switch output on

Sorry, If my explanation isn't very well.

I hope to hear your responses. Thanks, Jason

[ May 15, 2004, 01:27 AM: Message edited by: lucky1974 ]
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Jason,

Welcome aboard!

One quick question, do you have the model# of the switch?

Bill
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Jason, when I find a device or something I need a better explanation of I find alot of times you can go to a search engine and type in the brand name and the co. usually has a web site with wiring diagrams and some even have training courses. I used one recently by Advance to see how to wire some dimming ballasts for fluorescent lights. Thats not to say you wont find your answer here, its just another option.
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Jason
Hello and welcome :) . I am interested in learning new info as well as the rest here. A model number would really help, then we can see what you have.

Pierre
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Hello and welcome, now we need the other 499 readers to post on the site. :p

Follow these directions.

No.#1. Remove both switches. Clear the three wires at each box.

No.#2. There will only be one hot wire. Locate it with a tic tracer if no ground is present.

No.#3. Connect this wire to the colored terminal of the three way. Connect the other two to the two remaining terminals. Order is not important. Mount the switch and install plate.

No.#4. Proceed to the other box. There will be one hot wire, locate it and place it on any terminal except the colored one.

No.#5. Go back to first switch and change the toggle position.

No.#6. There will be another wire hot in the box. Connect this one to the other clear terminal and the remaining wire to the colored terminal.

Your light will work if it did before.

Let me know how this works out, if not I'll send you a three way candle. :p
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Why does this 3-way switch have 3 positions?
It sounds to me like you have a SPDT center off switch. It seems like it is working fine except it shouldn't have the center position. The light in the switch will only light when the load is off.

I agree with Bill and Pierre please post the mfg. and model number if possible.
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

I can not locate a decora switch with a center off in the leviton brand. I did have a faulty switch that would hang up in the center position.

This sounds like a mis-wiring job. If only one switch was changed, process of elimination will correct it. If both switches have been changed, use the steps I wrote to connect properly.

Bennie
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

This sounds like an "on-off-on" switch that is commonly used for applications like dark rooms or switching between heating and air conditioning. But, as Bennie pointed out, I have not seen this in a Decora style switch. Better post the model number so we can all speak intelligently on this.
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Are you sure of the functionality of the switch. Is it possible that it is not a 3-way switch but a off-auto-on switch for a lighting control application.
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Bennie,

Leviton 5657-2 = SPDT Center Off Momentary Contact

Leviton 5685-2 = SPDT Center Off Maintained Contact

Leviton 5686-2 = DPDT Center Off Maintained Contact

[ May 11, 2004, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: curt swartz ]
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Wow the student getting the pebbls from the teacher.Grasshopper u may go now.LOL
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Hi, Thanks for all the responses.The switch in question was a Cooper(decora style lighted 3-way).I called Cooper Tech support and was told that i had a bad switch to return it. It was sticking in the middle(between on and off),but felt like it clicked into that position.Which was what threw me off.Thanks for the info on wiring 3-ways, but if i coundn't wire and troubleshoot a simple 3-way or 4-way config. by now I'd be looking for a new jounrneyman fast! Thanks For ALL THE HELP Jason
 
Re: new member- first question-PROBLEM SOLVED

Sorry , Forgot to write that i didn't have a model #. The switch was an over buy and was given to me,figures i guess the old saying is true " you get what you pay for" You guys are a great source of info i tell all the apprentices at work about your site all the time.
 
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