Log in

View Full Version : Wiring 3 way dimmer


efx
Nov 20, 2007, 08:57 PM
Changed 2 switches on a 3 way circuit for one light. 1 is a master and 2 is a slave.
One box had 2 blue wires and 1 red wire. The other box had 2 blue and 1 yellow.
Connected the blues on 1 as run through and red to black(master). The other connected 1 blue as run through and blue+yellow to other run through(slave). Turned breaker back on and light fluctuates and dims by itself. Thought I had it right but have never done this before so not sure. Turned breaker off immediately to think about it. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Jeff

efx
Nov 20, 2007, 09:06 PM
Also green was grounded on back of metal electrical box.

Stratmando
Nov 21, 2007, 07:07 AM
The 2 blues are your travellers and go to same color screws on both switchs, The red at one end and the yellow at the other end, go to the dark screw. Flip both switches to opposite positions from when light is dim. If comfortable with electricity, you could jump across
Three way switches to determine bad contacts inside switch.
Also the bulb socket, or loose wire may be a problem.

efx
Nov 21, 2007, 11:47 AM
After looking at my wiring I think maybe it's the slave. Im using a cooper smart dimmer remote remote. Box has 2 blues and 1 yellow. Remote has 2 blues and green. Green is grounded to box. Wired 1 blue from box to blue from remote(no screws, just wires coming out of remote). Other blue and yellow from box I wired together to other blue from remote.
Is this wrong?

tkrussell
Nov 21, 2007, 12:06 PM
I see the manufacturer is Cooper, what is the model number of the dimmer?

efx
Nov 21, 2007, 12:44 PM
Smrw remote, sm600w master

efx
Nov 23, 2007, 08:35 PM
Anyone?

tkrussell
Nov 24, 2007, 05:46 AM
Here are the wiring diagrams for both the master and slave (accessory).

See if this helps.

Cobraguy
Nov 24, 2007, 06:49 AM
Tk... did you notice the dimmers don't attach to the neutral anywhere? Yet they are electronic dimmers with LED lights. Do you suppose they use the ground for a return for that? I know the amount of power to run the electronics would be minuscule, but still...

Or am I missing something there? Like maybe they are using the circuit to the light?

tkrussell
Nov 24, 2007, 07:05 AM
The LED could be in series with the circuit, as well as using the ground, as electronics often use the equipment ground as a reference.

The unit is UL listed, therefore using the ground as a reference/return is allowed.

efx
Nov 24, 2007, 01:25 PM
Ok figured it out. Had the pass through swapped on the slaves. There was no tags on them. Thanks