Three way wiring to single pole switch

Dmouck · Jul 30, 2019

I tried to put in a smart switch, which should be simple enough but when I took the plate off I was surprised at what I saw.

There are two lights controlled by the switch, but still single pole switch. The feed wire is three way with one hot going to one light and the other hot going to the other light. All neutrals are bundled together. What should be the neutral is connected to the red feed wire. Bottom is the feed, top two are the lights.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Three way wiring to single pole switch

telectrix · Jul 30, 2019

youm sure it's not a 2 way switch? pic. not clear enough to see what goes where.

James · Jul 30, 2019

telectrix said:
youm sure it's not a 2 way switch? pic. not clear enough to see what goes where.

Looks like only 2 wires go to the switch, rest are all jointed in the back box?

telectrix · Jul 30, 2019

seems to me there's 2 black and a grey in the switch. or is 1 black shadow?

James · Jul 30, 2019

I think the advice has got to be,
If you have the knowledge and equipment to find

Permanent hot wire
Switched hot to lights
Neutral

Attach these 3 wires to the new smart switch as per manufacturer instructions.

This is mainly a uk based forum so I hope I have got the terminology correct for you.
Also, you use different wire colours to us in the uk.

If I had to guess, I would suspect the greys joined together may well be neutral but this will need to be verified.

IF AT ALL UNSURE, CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

happysteve · Jul 30, 2019

I'm struggling to see exactly what goes where in your photo. Could you draw it out on paper and take a photo of that?

Is this what's happening?

If so, then the two phases from your 3 core feed at the bottom are actually just the same phase.

(Didn't have a grey pen, so have used blue for neutral).

Don't assume anything, though: testing will tell you what's going on.

Dmouck · Jul 30, 2019

Wouldn't that overheat since the red and the black are both hot supply are reducing down to one hot black?

Your diagram is great! The way it is in my setup is
Light 1 black to feed black to switch bottom.
Light 2 black to feed red to switch top

I was thinking of capping off the red and then doing exactly what you have above. Instead I flipped breaker and called an electrician

DPG · Jul 30, 2019

I think you made the right decision. Hope you get it sorted OK.

happysteve · Jul 30, 2019

Dmouck said:
Your diagram is great! The way it is in my setup is
Light 1 black to feed black to switch bottom.
Light 2 black to feed red to switch top

That makes no sense at all, that I can see. (Not what you're saying, I mean what you're describing)

Dmouck said:
I was thinking of capping off the red and then doing exactly what you have above. Instead I flipped breaker and called an electrician

Definitely the right decision.

If you get the chance, could you post back here once it's sorted? Always intrigued by mysteries!

Three way wiring to single pole switch

Dmouck

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telectrix

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James

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telectrix

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James

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happysteve

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Dmouck

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DPG

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happysteve

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