Posted: 12/22/2011 11:55:19 AM EDT
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Howdy,
I want to eliminate this dimmer switch and install a regular three way switch. How do I wire the new switch? 
Thanks |
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Can't unless you pull more wires. That looks to be a single pole switch. ? the other switch that also controls it is a three way. Alright, this is what you do. the White wire that is connected to the switch and the black wire coming from the same romex are travelers. Put them on the screw terminals that are the same color (one wire per terminal) then put the other black wire on the terminal that doesn't match the other two. It is often a black screw or copper colored and the other two are odten silver. |
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Can't unless you pull more wires. That looks to be a single pole switch. ? the other switch that also controls it is a three way. That's an odd set up. Most 3 ways have 3 connections on them. Not just 2 wires jammed onto 1 screw. You'll have to figure out which wire is the hot and which is the traveler and go from there. diagram |
| This assumes a lot. Better trace out the wires. All proper switching is done on the hot wire (usually black), never the neutral (usually white). I am assuming the white wire on the dimmer is the switch "leg". Confirm it goes to the hot wire of the light. If so I thing all you need to do is untwist the 2 black ones and screw them to the switched poles of the 3-way, then the white goes to the 3rd screw on the switch. No guarantees, so better check it first or get an electrician over. EDIT: looks like postpostban beat me to it. Good call. |
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Can't unless you pull more wires. That looks to be a single pole switch. ? the other switch that also controls it is a three way. Alright, this is what you do. the White wire that is connected to the switch and the black wire coming from the same romex are travelers. Put them on the screw terminals that are the same color (one wire per terminal) then put the other black wire on the terminal that doesn't match the other two. It is often a black screw or copper colored and the other two are odten silver. Would that single black wire be my common? |
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Can't unless you pull more wires. That looks to be a single pole switch. ? the other switch that also controls it is a three way. That's an odd set up. Most 3 ways have 3 connections on them. Not just 2 wires jammed onto 1 screw. You'll have to figure out which wire is the hot and which is the traveler and go from there. diagram What the wireman did in this case was strip a bare spot on the hot wire, wraped it around screw and on to next switch. Common practice, saves making another joint. |
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That's not wired correctly for a single pole, let alone a three-way arrangement. Oy vei!  Sure it is, but the house is not wired for a the three way. Wrong. White is never (suppose to not be anyway) used for anything but a neutral. Neutrals do not belong on a switch. TBK is correct. |
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Can't unless you pull more wires. That looks to be a single pole switch. ? the other switch that also controls it is a three way. Alright, this is what you do. the White wire that is connected to the switch and the black wire coming from the same romex are travelers. Put them on the screw terminals that are the same color (one wire per terminal) then put the other black wire on the terminal that doesn't match the other two. It is often a black screw or copper colored and the other two are odten silver. Would that single black wire be my common? Yes |
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That's not wired correctly for a single pole, let alone a three-way arrangement. Oy vei! Sure it is, but the house is not wired for a the three way. Wrong. White is never (suppose to not be anyway) used for anything but a neutral. Neutrals do not belong on a switch. TBK is correct. You are 100% wrong. I agree it shouldn't be done, but it is legal. the White wire is now required to be marked though. |
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That's not wired correctly for a single pole, let alone a three-way arrangement. Oy vei! Sure it is, but the house is not wired for a the three way. Wrong. White is never (suppose to not be anyway) used for anything but a neutral. Neutrals do not belong on a switch. TBK is correct. White wire is commonly used for switch leg or travelers in residential work. Rule of thumb is a neutral is always white but a white is not always a neutral. < retired electrician. 
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