Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] 3 way switch question

01 April 2013

Re: [DIY] 3 way switch question

Without inspecting to verify your assumptions, I cannot guarantee the connections. If no other wiring is connected to this assembly, and the "stairs" wire goes to the 2 lights only as stated , do the following:
      at the top of the stairs put the white wire on the dark colored screw of the 3 way switch and
     put the black and red wires on each of the other 2 screws
at the bottom switch, put the black wire from the "stairs" 14-2 with the white wire of the 14-3 with a wire cap (not on the switch)
Separately, put the white wire from the 14-2 from the panel with the white wire from the stairs 14-2 with a wire cap.
Put the black wire from the 14-2 from the panel on the dark screw of the bottom switch.
Put the black and red wires of the 14-3 on the other 2 screws of the bottom switch.
Note: my color choice of the 14-3 wire (romex) is not important as long as 2 each go to the brass screws of the 2 switches and the
3rd goes from the dark colored screw at the top of the stairs to the black to the fixtures.
Sorry for the lengthy directions, but it is necessary. This is only if there is nothing else connected to the 2 fixtures and 2 switches.

From the desk of David B. Cox ******** Your Designer Electrician******** 214-905-6074

On 3/31/2013 11:13 AM, Shane wrote:

Hi all,

I'm finishing off my basement and I'm working with some existing wiring in the staircase coming down into the basement. I had to re-do most of the basic basement lighting to get it up into the joists, and because of that had to cut the electrical that gave the staircase lighting. A year later, I'm back to that section. :)

Here's the setup-- it appears to be a 3-way switch setup with the fixtures in the middle. The switch at the top of the stairs has only a 14-3 wire in the box and has not been touched. At the bottom of the stairs--other switch location-- there's a 14-2 labeled "stairs", the other end of the 14-3, and the new 14-2 I ran from the new subpanel to serve as the power. In my wiring book, though, there's not a place for the 14-2 labeled "stairs". I'm assuming this is what the two fixtures are daisy chained together with....but I'm not sure how to add it into the mix. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Shane