How do I handle one box in a 3-way that does not have a ground?

[eyost]

Hi all,

I am in the process of replacing two switches in a 3-way circuit with two Insteon dimmers. On one of the boxes, I noticed that one switch in Box 2 does not have a ground. Is this a problem, or is it handled by being connected to the switch in Box 1?

Box 1

Two Black wires
One Red wire
Bundle of neutral wires
No wires test as line

Box 2

One White Wire (Tests as line)
One Black Wire
One red wire

When I connect the white and black wire together in box 2, one of the black wires in box 1 tests as line; I assume the other black is load?

The box is plastic. I don't want to wire this incorrectly and damage the switch, or worse. I like my house the way it is. <ggg>

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[WayneW]

Are you saying htat box 2 doesn't have a ground? or doesn't have a neutral? They are very different in purpose.

 

[eyost]

Box 2 is absent a neutral and a ground. I figured I could use one of the travelers to get a neutral from box 1 to box 2. But the absence of the ground is the one that I really wonder about.

Ed

Hi all,

I am in the process of replacing two switches in a 3-way circuit with two Insteon dimmers. On one of the boxes, I noticed that one switch in Box 2 does not have a ground. Is this a problem, or is it handled by being connected to the switch in Box 1?

Box 1

Two Black wires
One Red wire
Bundle of neutral wires
No wires test as line

Box 2

One White Wire (Tests as line)
One Black Wire
One red wire

When I connect the white and black wire together in box 2, one of the black wires in box 1 tests as line; I assume the other black is load?

The box is plastic. I don't want to wire this incorrectly and damage the switch, or worse. I like my house the way it is. <ggg>

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Monk]

That's a mess. You really need to be able to determine the physical cables - do you have an idea which black wires or red wires are tied together in the same physical cable? In one box, you probably have a cable going directly to the "load", a black and a white wire.
Modern day 3-way wiring often uses a cable with a red, black and white for the "runner". Determine first is this the case.

Which wires actually attach to the switches - ? Usually a 3-way will have one black terminal - the "common" which in one box will be connected to the load, in the other box will be the supply.
There are many ways the 3 way could have been wired.
Pictures would be helpful.

Note that there are some lengthy discussions, possibly related to your question - I can't remember where, and may not be here on this board. Will post if I find them.

Hi all,

I am in the process of replacing two switches in a 3-way circuit with two Insteon dimmers. On one of the boxes, I noticed that one switch in Box 2 does not have a ground. Is this a problem, or is it handled by being connected to the switch in Box 1?

Box 1

Two Black wires
One Red wire
Bundle of neutral wires
No wires test as line

Box 2

One White Wire (Tests as line)
One Black Wire
One red wire

When I connect the white and black wire together in box 2, one of the black wires in box 1 tests as line; I assume the other black is load?

The box is plastic. I don't want to wire this incorrectly and damage the switch, or worse. I like my house the way it is. <ggg>

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Monk]

Here is one thread that has a graphic included - It shows why one box might not have a nuetral - but it should have a ground included in the cable... Maybe just not visible / hooked up to the switch?

http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?t...;highlight=3way

hope this helps