Q: In the process of remodelling our kitchen, we have disconnected one of the switches from our 3-way switch to our ceiling lights!
We are now told by our “electrician ???” that we need to replace the old switch with a three way switch instead of a one way switch.
Duh! Even though I’m obviously ignorant of these matters, it seems to me that this is sheer nonsense!
Doesn’t a three way switch simply interrupt the “hot” wire? In that case, why do we need to replace the old 3 way switch with another one instead of simply replacing it with a single switch??
Please send info how to accomplish this! Your help would be greatly appreciated!
A: Your “electrician” is correct. You could use a single pole switch, but the circuit will not work as designed.
Here is a diagram of a simple 3-way switch network that should illustrate why. You must replace a 3-way with a 3-way, and pay attention as to which wire was connected to the identified ‘common’ terminal.
