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stuck8879 · Jun 27, 2009, 09:45 PM

Am replacing an old light fixture in an upstairs hall that is connected to 3 different switches; one downstairs, one at the far end of the hall and one at the close end of the hall. Coming into the light receptacle box are 3 white wires, 3 black wires, 1 red wire and 3 exposed copper wires. My light fixture has 1 white wire, 1 black wire and 1 copper wire. How do I connect these wires to the light fixture?

joenz · Jun 27, 2009, 11:01 PM

You are actually dealing with 2 3-way switches and a 4-way switch if there are 3 switches; however, they are essentially connected in series, so the only wires that should be at the fixture are 1 black, 1 white, and the ground you can connect to the metal in the fixture. If you don't remember how the old fixture was connected, all I can tell you to do is get the light switches in an ON position and take a voltmeter to see which black and white have 120V across them. If this then changes to 0V when you toggle the switches then you should be good to go. Spend $20 on a voltmeter if you don't have one already. They come in useful.

hkstroud · Jun 28, 2009, 04:56 AM

Assuming that the 3 white wires are connect together with a wire nut, that the 3 black wires are connected together with a wire nut and that the red is not connected to any thing. Connect the fan white to the white wires. Connect the fan black wire to the red wire.

If wires in ceiling box are not as described above, post back with wire connections.

stuck8879 · Jun 28, 2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Assuming that the 3 white wires are connect together with a a wire nut, that the 3 black wires are connected together with a wire nut and that the red is not connected to any thing. Connect the fan white to the white wires. Connect the fan black wire to the red wire.

If wires in ceiling box are not as described above, post back with wire connections.

Thank you. This is the situation I have. There are 3 white wires connected together in a wire nut, 3 black wires in a wire nut and a free red one. To clarify this, is it correct to connect the light fixture white wires to the white wires in the wire nut and the light fixture black wire to the red wire and enclose in wire nut and then leave the black wires alone by themselves in a wire nut. And the copper wire from the light fixture will be connected to the copper wires from the ceiling box.

hkstroud · Jun 28, 2009, 11:52 AM

That is correct.