two switches , one ceiling light

18 years ago

a ceiling light at the base of a stairway is controlled by two switches (one at each end of stairwell). Two armored cables with 3 wires each need to be joined to replacement light fixture. Problem: i cannot tell which wires are live, neutral and/or ground in a set-up that may be older than 1960? the circuit "box" was ROUND! and it was plastered in place!(relax! i already took it out and replaced with another brace to joist in ceiling)How do i get my light back in order? I've tried a couple of connections but i continue to trip the circuit breaker in each of my attempts to turn on/off the light at either of the two switches. this is not a new hook-up, it's worked before, but i can't figure how the wires were joined in ceiling "box".

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Comments (6)

bus_driver
18 years ago
Who disconnected all those wires? And did that person make any notes about which was hooked to which? Any photos? How did that person expect to reconstruct the original hookup?
hendricus
18 years ago
no problem. Need to know what wires are in each switch box and what is hooked where on the switch and what is at the light. Include all information like 3 wire, 2 wire, colors hooked to what color screws, colors of the wire.
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martin-electrical
18 years ago
Two 3 way switches controlling 1 light
The power goes on one of the switches single terminal the runners are between 3 wire (R, B) remember whites are always the identified nuetral the single terminal on 2nd threeway feeds light , Hopefully this can get you straightened out . How the switches are laid out depends on the manufacturer!
lonesparky95
18 years ago
Three-way set-ups like yours can be wired several different ways. Step one is always the same: identify the feed; ie, the hot conductor (aka wire) bringing current from the panel.

For this, you'll be needing a simple voltage detector, which sells for around 10 bucks. Turn the circuit-breaker off. Next, disconnect all the wires, and carefully separate them. Nothing touching anything? Good, now turn the breaker back on. Test each wire, and only one will be hot. That's the feed.

Post back after you've done that, and we'll get 'er whipped.
lonesparky95
18 years ago
Mea culpa (that's Latin for "my bad"). I just re-read your OP, and you're only dealing with the ceiling box. You say three wires in and three out, which means the feed's in one of the switch boxes.

I still recommend you get a voltage sniffer. Power off, wires separated, and only one wire in the ceiling box will be hot WHEN THE FEED SWITCH IS ON. Process of elimination, you'll figure out which switch that is, top of stairs or bottom.

Let's call the cable with the feed wire "in," and call t'other cable "out." Connect red in to red out. Connect white in to the light's white. Connect black in to white out (that's right, black in to white out), and put a little black tape on that white. Connect black out to light's black. Connect all grounds together.
luckytiff02
18 years ago
"Two 3 way switches controlling 1 light
The power goes on one of the switches single terminal the runners are between 3 wire (R, B) remember whites are always the identified neutral the single terminal on 2nd three way feeds light , Hopefully this can get you straightened out . How the switches are laid out depends on the manufacturer!"

I think I'll go with this answer. I have a similar (not the same) problem in my tiffany ceiling light. I just read the manual and it works fine. Hope you solve your problem.