I have a project that was just finished, with new basement recessed lights on a 3 way dimmer that is toggled to a 3 way switch at the top of the stairs. I still have to double check my wiring design (its an empty finished project on the market, which i haven’t been at regularly for a month) —-and will begin by putting in a regular 3 way in place of the dimmer–but here is my question— Have you ever had a 3 way dimmer circuit suddenly malfunction?
It was working for some time, we had played with it and used it as it is supposed to be used for at least a month, and now it still dims, but won’t turn on upstairs when the dimmer is off (i replaced the dimmer -a 1000 watt toggle type)as well as the other heavy duty regular 3 way) . What gives????
The line goes to the light, then 14-2 to the switch, with 14-3 coming from the other switch.
By the way, I read posts everyday and am amazed by the knowledge found here, 6 months of just lurking on posts has helped me more than the last 5 years of evesdropping at the lumberyard for sure! I have some bigger projects i’d like advice on, but this mystery is bugging me so badly i needed to post about it.—Thanks
Replies
If you replaced both the dimmer and the switch and it still doesn't work, I'd say either you've got a wiring error or something else is broken. Try putting two 3-way switches back in place temporarily.
It's easy to make mistakes with 3-ways. Here's a good site with diagrams:
http://www.the-home-improvement-web.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
Only a little experience with 3-way dimmers, but I've had standard 2-way units go bad after as little as a week. More recently, though (past 10 years), they seem to hold up better.
If I were doing a 3-way dimmer I'd use the 3-way with the "remote". Otherwise you're stuck if someone dims all the way vs switching off.
happy?
The rheostat element in some of the cheaper dimmers can go bad even if you accidentally drop them or even overtighten the screws.
Go with the more expensive ones for at least $20. I love gadgets, but I have had crappy luck withe the IR remote 3/ways. The are great when the work, but expect to pay $40 each.
The only setbacks to the remotes that are mounted in the box are that they are bulky, and don't always fit in the finish escutcheons/enclosures of the fixture you are using.
Having a significant other who either loses the remote or "puts it away" and forgets where is another....
The remotes I'm talking about mount in the other 3-way switch box and appear to take a standard Decora plate.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Yep, the good ones send a signal to each other through the wires to each other. The less expensive ones use IR. Remember, you get what you pay for...