Three-way Switch

[rbizzell]

I recently wired a three-way switch in my basement. I ran 14/2 from the panel box to the first switch and 14/3 between the switches and then connected all my lights with 14/2. When I put in the pigtails to test the wiring the first light is brighter than the rest of the lights.

 

[peter d]

Re: Three-way Switch

Maybe it's a larger wattage bulb?

 

[jeff43222]

Re: Three-way Switch

Or the lights are wired in series?

 

[volt101]

Re: Three-way Switch

Maybe you got VD's.

Jim

 

[al hildenbrand]

Re: Three-way Switch

VD. That's funny

I'll bet it's differences in the lamps.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Re: Three-way Switch

Try moving the lamp that seems bright to another of the fixtures.

Does the brightness move with the lamp?

 

[charlie b]

Re: Three-way Switch

Can you give us information on the wattages and the distances involved?

 

[physis]

Re: Three-way Switch

I was thinking the series thing, it only has to be series at one of the lighting outlets.

 

[redfish]

Re: Three-way Switch

If your bulbs are the same, check your connections on the dim fixture.

 

[tracker]

Re: Three-way Switch

Is the frist bulb normal and the others very dim?Where did you run light wire? To the other switch?

 

[LarryFine]

Re: Three-way Switch

Oh, what the hell, I'll join in!

If you remove one bulb, do any others go out?

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Three-way Switch

Are you wearing auto-tinting eyeglasses?

 

[al hildenbrand]

Re: Three-way Switch

Or maybe those fancy peril sensative glasses that get darker the closer one is to peril.

They have the words "Don't Panic" on them.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Three-way Switch

 

[mikeames]

Re: Three-way Switch

How would being in series cause this???

Current is the same throughout series circuits. Different bulb would do it.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Three-way Switch

Originally posted by mikeames:
How would being in series cause this???

Current is the same throughout series circuits.

Others can explain the math, but I've seen the results.

 

[hurk27]

Re: Three-way Switch

Ok I'll take a stab:

Draw three fixtures in line with hot terminals at top and neutral terminals at bottom. Now starting from left to right number 1, 2, 3. between 1 and 2 connect the neutrals between 2 and 3 connect the hots, feed a neutral and hot from last 3-way to 3, now accidentally ground fixture 1's hot Viola, you now have what he described.

Edit to add: And spell!

[ July 13, 2005, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]

 

[physis]

Re: Three-way Switch

We could use you on our drawing s team, I'm not so sure about the spelling team.

 

[hurk27]

Re: Three-way Switch

Ok how's this for a first:

 

[physis]

Re: Three-way Switch

Alright! You're in the drafter's club.