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    Papi9999's Avatar
    Papi9999 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Apr 8, 2014, 03:23 PM
    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
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #2

    Apr 8, 2014, 03:53 PM
    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?
    hfcarson's Avatar
    hfcarson Posts: 1,003, Reputation: 49
    Ultra Member
     
    #3

    Apr 9, 2014, 04:27 AM
    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.
    Papi9999's Avatar
    Papi9999 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #4

    Apr 9, 2014, 05:14 AM
    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.
    hfcarson's Avatar
    hfcarson Posts: 1,003, Reputation: 49
    Ultra Member
     
    #5

    Apr 9, 2014, 05:32 AM
    Aha! Good luck...
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #6

    Apr 9, 2014, 02:01 PM
    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.
    hfcarson's Avatar
    hfcarson Posts: 1,003, Reputation: 49
    Ultra Member
     
    #7

    Apr 10, 2014, 03:24 AM
    aww stop, mr. wizard....

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