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-   -   Old switch (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=789122)

  • Apr 8, 2014, 03:23 PM
    Papi9999
    Old switch
    I have an old light switch I can't seem to replace it has a white wire which is the live wire ,it has a red wire that when I touch with the white the light turns on and I have green wire that when I touch it with the white it turns off.There is no ground help please
  • Apr 8, 2014, 03:53 PM
    ballengerb1
    This sounds like a three way switch but there should not be any green wire if there is no ground. If it is a three way switch there will be three screws, four if there is a ground. The toggle of the switch will not be labeled ON or OFF. Three-way switches & How they work - YouTube Is your switch labeled with ON and OFF?
  • Apr 9, 2014, 04:27 AM
    hfcarson
    You should contact an electrician to come see this...
    it may be a low voltage relay lighting system that was
    used a few decades ago. The switch is low voltage and the relays are
    usually located in the basement ceiling in a small junction box.
    If so, you should replace the relays with new wiring methods as I doubt
    parts are still available.
  • Apr 9, 2014, 05:14 AM
    Papi9999
    Thank you .It is a low voltage switch but I found the replacement at Switch Plates & Outlet Covers, Electrical Outlets & Light Switches ,they have the original switch and they have a more modern look replacement switch made by GE.. Since this the only low voltage switch in the house I'm going with the replacement switch for 11.95 but later on I will take your advice and change it?Thank you for your answer I had gone to several hardware stores with the switch in hand and none of them could tell me it was a low voltage switch.
  • Apr 9, 2014, 05:32 AM
    hfcarson
    Aha! Good luck...
  • Apr 9, 2014, 02:01 PM
    hkstroud
    My compliments to hfcarson for recognizing that this could be a low voltage switch. They are not that common. Must be nice to be that smart.
  • Apr 10, 2014, 03:24 AM
    hfcarson
    aww stop, mr. wizard....

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