I have a problem with what I belive may be a thee way dimmer switch. I just recently purchased a home built in 1953. All the switches and wiring are original to the house. By the front door there is a bank of three light switches. I am assuming one works the outside light, one works the hall light and the other controls an outlet in the living as there is not a ceiling light in there. The first time I used the third switch ( the one I think is a dimmer) I popped the circuit and now the breaker pops no matter what the position of the switch. Anyhow the switch is very wide and appears to perhaps be some sort of dimmer. It has three wires to it. One (black) comes off the switch next to it, the other two come in from inside the wall, one is black and one is white (all cloth covered). There are not any markings on the switch and I do not see a ground wire attached to it. My question is how to put a new swith in. I will not be putting in a dimmer switch.
Hope this is not too confusing.
Appreciate any help
Tom
Replies
BUY 2 NEW THREE WAY SWITCHS AND INSTALL THEM THE EXACT SAME WAY , WIRING PRE 1965 DOES NOT HAVE GROUNDS .
Thanks for the reply. Just to double check this because I have two black and one white wire. I should find the hot wire and attach it to the black screw and connect the other two to the brass screws. This is assuming it is a three way because it has three terminals on it. I'm not as dangerous as I sound.
thanks
Tom
What he means is to maintain the "positional relationship" of the wires between the old and new switches.
Wire to black screw of old switch goes to black screw of new switch.
The remaining black and white wires get connected to the new switch in the same relative positions to the black screw terminal on the old switch.
For example (may not be your configuration), on the old switch, one black wire is connected to the black screw, the white wire is connected to the other terminal on the same side of the switch as the black screw, and the remaining black wire is connected to the single terminal on the opposite side of the switch - then the new switch will be connected in the same way / relative positions.
Repeat procedure on the second switch.
This also holds true if you want to replace the old 3 way dimmer with a new one rather than a straight switch. Your choice.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Edited 4/3/2009 8:00 am ET by JTC1
Thanks Jim it worked out great
Some very old dimmers had 3 wires, even though they were only single-pole/2-way/whatever. One wire hot, one neutral, one to load.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
Everything worked out great thanks
Thanks