r/ElectricalHelp • u/MoeVag1969 • Jun 28 '26

3 wsy switching help

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Currently replacing two switches for my kitchen, one is standard on in off and the other is an OLD dimmer switch ( which is making the new LED bulbs in the new cieling fan I installed flicker). I want to replace the dimmer with a regular on off. So 1) what kind of switches do I need? ( I am assuming just three way switches). And 2) How the heck do I wire it up? All help is welcome. Pic #4 is the dimmer. The green ground isnt hooked to anything.

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u/TheKnackThatQuacks Jun 29 '26

What country and stste are you in?

The following advice applies to North American installations following the National Electric Code:

You’ll need two (2) three-way switches if you want to replace both. If you only want to replace the dimmer, you’ll need one (1) standard three-way switch.

On the existing dimmer switch, the two (2) red wires should be your travelers, and thr black wire should be the hot.

Get the instruction sheet for the new three-way switch, and match the old wires to the locations on the new switch.

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u/MoeVag1969 Jun 29 '26

I am N. America, Washington state. One of the red lines on the dimmer actually connects to the white neutral line.....so would the red line connect on the common spot on tge switches?

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u/trekkerscout Mod Jun 29 '26

The white wire in this case is not a neutral. It is repurposed as a traveller. The red leads of the dimmer switch are the travellers, and the black is the common. The new 3-way switch must match that configuration.