Light switches with knob and tube wiring?
Question:I've replaced all of my light switches in my VERY OLD house over the past few days with new switches. There is original knob and tube wiring going to most of them. I haven't had any problems until I replaced a light connected to 2 switches. The hall light at the top of my stairs is connected to a switch downstairs and a switch upstairs. One switch has 4 wires going to it and the other has 3 wires. Both new switchs are 2-way switches and have brass and copper connections on the right and brass and green connections on the left. Any ideas on how they should be hooked up?? I've re-wired them several times but can't get them working together. Either one switch works at a time or neither work.
Answers:
Typical 3way switching consists of 2 switches. one switch is fed hot all the time by the power source. There must be 2 unbroken wires between each switch. (travellers). . The other switch accepts those 2 travellers. The third terminal on the opposing switch is for the switch leg conductor. This goes directly to the light fixture hot lead..
So..we have one three way switch with a hot and 2 travellers under the three screws. the other has the 2 travellers and the switch leg... its the only way its gonna work...you may have to take an ohmeter and "prove" your travellers at each switch. TURN OFF POWER FIRST!
Now, if we wanted a switch in between our 2 3ways, we would break our travellers (2 wires) thru a 4-way switch..
OK, your situation...4 wires at one switch, 3 at the other. Is there another 3 way in the lite switching layout? If so, you are working on a 4way and a 3 way switch...
If this is not the case, then you may have some head scratching to do...The old-timers used to get really creative with the old K&T wire, especially when it came to switching..and forget equipment grounds, cause they were nonexistent then..
Remember, it must start and end with a 3 way switch...you could put 100 4way switches in between ..Also on your new switches, there will be 2 "like colored" screws and one a bit different. the travellers go under the 2 like screws..Very Important!!Good Luck!
you need three-way switches, the inclosed instructions will show you how to wire them
You definately have a set up for three way switches. It's not easy to figure this set up for novices, but it can be done. I would do a search on the internet on wiring 3-way switches. It's too complicated to explain in writing. See sites like the link below:
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