Ok so I’m changing out the old outlets switches from the 80’s cause they are old and yellow from age… and the outlets will occasionally spark when you put a plug into them. They are all grounded and I have had no trouble with the outlets. The master bedroom has 2 light switches on opposite walls that control the ceiling fan and light. They are single switches so both fan and light come on at the same time. I replaced the switch on the far end of the room with a 3 way switch and all was good. It had 4 wires… ground , main line in, and the red and black traveler wires. Then I re did the main switch that is at the bedroom door. When I took the old switch out I thought it was odd cause it had 5 wires… one hot line in an intermittent hot Line in.. both are black… and then the red and black traveler wires and the bare ground wire. When I hooked everything back up to my new 3-way I discover that the hot line in also controls the master bathroom… so when I turn this switch off there is no power in the bathroom… it didn’t do this befor… do I need a different type of switch? The one I took out looked like a normal switch.. except it had 4 quick connect holes instead of two… and they had used 3 of the quick connect and one of the side screws . Help! I don’t want to have to leave the bedroom light on to have light in the bathroom.
Switch – Master bedroom light switch is controlling the bathroom too
lightswitch
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From what you've described, this is what I think you're wiring should look like. Keep in mind, this is just a guess. I can't see what's going on, and I'm an internet away, so I can't touch/measure/test anything.
The wiring diagram for the switch, can be found in the installation instructions.
If you provide images, and/or a better description of what wires and cables are in each box. I'll be able to provide a better guess, as to how this should be wired.
NOTE:
The diagram is based on your description, and is my best guess as to what your wiring looks like. If you're not sure what to do, or feel like this project is over your head. Do not hesitate to contact a local licensed Electrician.
This looks to be wired correctly prior to the current code 2014 with the exception the white wire in the second box should be marked with tape black or red just not green or white. If there are metal boxes and the boxes are grounded things would be fine but you probably have plastic boxes so adding the ground to the switch would be a good idea. You did not mention if there is a ground in the second box there should be. And it should be connected to the switch also. The main difference in your wiring and current code is that the neutral needs to be run to the 2nd box with the ground and other 3. With the grounds added to the switch(s) it would be safe, with the whit leg identified as a Curren carying conductor, this would be up to code prior to 2014. your state may be on an older version of code so depending on that it could still be up to date with the changes.
Related Topic
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- Switch – Light switch with 3 sets of wires (not 3 way)
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- Wiring – How to troubleshoot 2 light switches in the same box with 4 black (hot) wires
Best Answer
It sounds like the wire from your bathroom ended up in the wrong place, the good thing it won’t hurt to swap them around until you get the correct combination. The back stabs or quick connects are electrically connected to the screws so the hot and the line to the bath were connected, your job now is to move your wires. There should be at least 2 cables where the whites and grounds are connected and the blacks come to the switch, for the travelers there are lots of combinations but your always hot and the black to your bathroom should be on the same contact if 2 hole lugs or pigtailed together to the common of the switch. But as long as you only swap the wires on the switch around you will get the right combination in a few try’s.