Please help me install this electrical switch! Photo's included!!

Chrisrw · 10-29-2010, 10:24 PM

So I wanted to install a light switch for my back door that comes on automatically. My back door has TWO switches, one by the rear door and one in the hallway.

So I pull out the old light switch to find this: Two blacks and a red going to the light switch. With the negs grounded and that two whites just tied together. When I simply touch the two black wires together, the light goes on (even without the red hooked up to anything.

This is what the switch looks like. The classic +, -, and ground...

So what wires go where?

BTM · 10-29-2010, 10:26 PM

red to red, black to black

Chrisrw · 10-29-2010, 10:45 PM

Both black to the single black and the red to the red? Ok, will try that. thx!

JayKay335i · 10-29-2010, 10:45 PM

Which black came off the ground of the old switch?

immiketoo · 10-29-2010, 10:55 PM

One of those is GREEN and that goes to ground

Chrisrw · 10-29-2010, 10:59 PM

They are both black, and there was NO ground going to the switch, the switch was a bit different from normal ones too... It had two black bolts, and a silver bolt. No ground bolt...(green)...

SleepyE90 · 10-29-2010, 11:47 PM

Ground is Negative (-) - Usually the black wire in most scenarios.
Live wire is Positive (+) - Usually the red wire in most scenarios.

ragingclue · 10-30-2010, 12:01 AM

Good point.

AC and DC conventions differ. You're obviously dealing with AC.

See Lauer's post if you don't want to do the 60Hz shuffle.

lauer87 · 10-30-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperlativE90

Ground is Negative (-) - Usually the black wire in most scenarios.
Live wire is Positive (+) - Usually the red wire in most scenarios.

WRONG

White is normally neutral.

Black is normally hot. Red can be hot in some scenarios, but black is the Primary hot.

http://electrical.about.com/od/wirin...olorcoding.htm

EDIT: I know this is obvious but make sure the breaker is off before doing any electrical work.

Chrisrw · 10-30-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperlativE90

Ground is Negative (-) - Usually the black wire in most scenarios.
Live wire is Positive (+) - Usually the red wire in most scenarios.

LOL... and this is what I was afraid of. People who don't know anything posting like they do. I've done enough electrical to know this is wrong...

I've updated the info in the OP as follows:

"When I simply connect the two black wires, the light goes on (even without the red hooked up to anything."

I learned this when trying BTM's "red to red, black to black"... It didn't work.

Thanks for all the attempted help though guys!

Still looking for a solution.

GordonShumway · 10-30-2010, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisrw

So I wanted to install a light switch for my back door that comes on automatically. My back door has TWO switches, one by the rear door and one in the hallway.

So I pull out the old light switch to find this: Two blacks and a red going to the light switch. With the negs grounded and that two whites just tied together.

This is what the switch looks like. The classic +, -, and ground...

So what wires go where?

You bought the wrong switch. You have a two-way switch. You need a three-way switch.

Edit: Here's a pic of what the wiring looks like for your switches.

Chrisrw · 10-30-2010, 02:19 AM

That makes sense...

Thanks for the help Gordon!

jpsum · 10-30-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperlativE90

Ground is Negative (-) - Usually the black wire in most scenarios.
Live wire is Positive (+) - Usually the red wire in most scenarios.

You made my day.

Positive and negative? LOL.

It's alternating current (AC), so the polarity "alternates"!

+1 on Gordon. But the OP should know if it is a three-way or not. Unless if the second switch is hidden somewhere in the house and nobody knows what it is. "Honey, what is this switch for?"

bosstones · 10-30-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauer87

WRONG

White is normally neutral.

Black is normally hot. Red can be hot in some scenarios, but black is the Primary hot.

http://electrical.about.com/od/wirin...olorcoding.htm

EDIT: I know this is obvious but make sure the breaker is off before doing any electrical work.

Agreed, except I would also note that some people also use yellow as hot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsum

You made my day.

Positive and negative? LOL.

It's alternating current (AC), so the polarity "alternates"!

+1 on Gordon. But the OP should know if it is a three-way or not. Unless if the second switch is hidden somewhere in the house and nobody knows what it is. "Honey, what is this switch for?"

I was also wondering if there was a 2nd switch for the light or if the 2 black wires originally had a wire nut on them w/ a 3 black wire going to the switch.

Freakazoid · 10-30-2010, 02:40 PM

had the same thing with a switch in my house, brought in a friend who knew his stuff and he STILL needed like 30 minutes trying to figure out what to do

unfortunately is till don't know what he did so i'm useless :P

GordonShumway · 10-30-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisrw

So I wanted to install a light switch for my back door that comes on automatically. My back door has TWO switches, one by the rear door and one in the hallway.

So I pull out the old light switch to find this: Two blacks and a red going to the light switch. With the negs grounded and that two whites just tied together. When I simply touch the two black wires together, the light goes on (even without the red hooked up to anything.

This is what the switch looks like. The classic +, -, and ground...

So what wires go where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsum

You made my day.

Positive and negative? LOL.

It's alternating current (AC), so the polarity "alternates"!

+1 on Gordon. But the OP should know if it is a three-way or not. Unless if the second switch is hidden somewhere in the house and nobody knows what it is. "Honey, what is this switch for?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosstones

Agreed, except I would also note that some people also use yellow as hot.

I was also wondering if there was a 2nd switch for the light or if the 2 black wires originally had a wire nut on them w/ a 3 black wire going to the switch.

OP already stated that there was two switches for the light, Hence, the switch is a three-way switch.

TK-421 · 10-30-2010, 04:58 PM

You guys are going to fry OP

ragingclue · 10-30-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

You guys are going to fry OP

This is a dangerous problem to bring to OT. It's OP's fault if he gets fried.

bosstones · 10-30-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordonShumway

OP already stated that there was two switches for the light, Hence, the switch is a three-way switch.

OP posts large color pictures AND expected me to read?!

lol

GordonShumway · 11-01-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosstones

OP posts large color pictures AND expected me to read?!

lol

m5sparky · 11-02-2010, 12:30 AM

not sure if u got ur answer or already did the job but, you need to get a 3 way switch or dimmer switch that has three wires plus the ground on it to make it work properly. pm me i can help you out . i do electrical for a living so its easy stuff.

Maestro · 11-02-2010, 12:45 PM

Your motion sensor switch it not a 3-way switch so it will not work. I can not remember if those types of automatic switches coming in a 3-way verity. If they do take that one back and get a 3-way version. it will tell you where to hook up the two back and the red connection should be obvious too.

10-29-2010, 10:24 PM	#1
Chrisrw First Lieutenant 61 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (4)	Please help me install this electrical switch! Photo's included!! So I wanted to install a light switch for my back door that comes on automatically. My back door has TWO switches, one by the rear door and one in the hallway. So I pull out the old light switch to find this: Two blacks and a red going to the light switch. With the negs grounded and that two whites just tied together. When I simply touch the two black wires together, the light goes on (even without the red hooked up to anything. This is what the switch looks like. The classic +, -, and ground... *So what wires go where?* __________________ 07 335i / Black on Red / Sport / Premium / 19'' Rims / Matte Black 18'' Winters / Vishnu / DCI / CF wrap / HID AE / OEM lip / H&R race / Titek / HKS Last edited by Chrisrw; 10-30-2010 at 01:48 AM..
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10-29-2010, 10:26 PM	#2
BTM Banned 499 Rep 10,309 Posts Drives: A///MERICAN!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: A///MERICA!!! iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.20]	red to red, black to black
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10-29-2010, 10:45 PM	#3
Chrisrw First Lieutenant 61 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (4)	Both black to the single black and the red to the red? Ok, will try that. thx! __________________ 07 335i / Black on Red / Sport / Premium / 19'' Rims / Matte Black 18'' Winters / Vishnu / DCI / CF wrap / HID AE / OEM lip / H&R race / Titek / HKS
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10-29-2010, 10:45 PM	#4
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Which black came off the ground of the old switch?
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10-29-2010, 10:59 PM	#6
Chrisrw First Lieutenant 61 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (4)	They are both black, and there was NO ground going to the switch, the switch was a bit different from normal ones too... It had two black bolts, and a silver bolt. No ground bolt...(green)... __________________ 07 335i / Black on Red / Sport / Premium / 19'' Rims / Matte Black 18'' Winters / Vishnu / DCI / CF wrap / HID AE / OEM lip / H&R race / Titek / HKS
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10-29-2010, 11:47 PM	#7
SleepyE90 Lieutenant 27 Rep 506 Posts Drives: Bavarian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: GhettoBird Metrolpolis iTrader: (1)	Ground is Negative (-) - Usually the black wire in most scenarios. Live wire is Positive (+) - Usually the red wire in most scenarios. __________________
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10-30-2010, 12:01 AM	#8
ragingclue One cam is enough 136 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	Good point. AC and DC conventions differ. You're obviously dealing with AC. See Lauer's post if you don't want to do the 60Hz shuffle. Last edited by ragingclue; 10-30-2010 at 12:18 AM..
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10-30-2010, 02:19 AM	#12
Chrisrw First Lieutenant 61 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (4)	That makes sense... Thanks for the help Gordon! __________________ 07 335i / Black on Red / Sport / Premium / 19'' Rims / Matte Black 18'' Winters / Vishnu / DCI / CF wrap / HID AE / OEM lip / H&R race / Titek / HKS
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10-30-2010, 02:40 PM	#15
Freakazoid Captain 188 Rep 962 Posts Drives: Saturn Redline Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	had the same thing with a switch in my house, brought in a friend who knew his stuff and he STILL needed like 30 minutes trying to figure out what to do unfortunately is till don't know what he did so i'm useless :P
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10-30-2010, 04:58 PM	#17
TK-421 Registered Sex Offender 597 Rep 4,757 Posts Drives: E46 M3 \| 1JZ S13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	You guys are going to fry OP __________________ Stop putting stuff like painted reflectors and premium package in your signature. You're embarrassing.
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11-02-2010, 12:30 AM	#21
m5sparky First Lieutenant 17 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: roseville ca iTrader: (2)	not sure if u got ur answer or already did the job but, you need to get a 3 way switch or dimmer switch that has three wires plus the ground on it to make it work properly. pm me i can help you out . i do electrical for a living so its easy stuff. __________________ - 2013 GTR BE - pearl white, FBO on e85, ccm rotors, ported intake manifold, jacks drag950 trans. ADV10 wheels, matte carbon fiber upgrades. - 2013 BMW M5 - silverstone , Dinan stage 2 with dinan exhaust. - 2013 GMC Sierra Denali 1500
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11-02-2010, 12:45 PM	#22
Maestro Major 1060 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, 2021 X3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Your motion sensor switch it not a 3-way switch so it will not work. I can not remember if those types of automatic switches coming in a 3-way verity. If they do take that one back and get a 3-way version. it will tell you where to hook up the two back and the red connection should be obvious too.
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