Electrical – Replacing both 3-way switches I found 2 hot wires one in each box

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Since the new switches were not same make\model as the old ones I had to remove both switches (6 wires) and test for the hot wire and I found 1 hot wire in each to the 2 boxes. Now what? It seems which ever way I install only one switch truly controls the light. Let me say again, there is a hot wire at the top of the stairs and a hot wire at the bottom of the stairs and one light half-way up the stairs.

Best Answer

Two ways to connect 3-way switches and load. Firt feed and load in same junction box. Second feed and load connected in different boxes. In second only three wires run between boxes: two travelers and one phase return. So two wires live voltage.