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Electrical Question - Not sure what switches control

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aphex

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
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Hey all,

We bought a house 9-10 months ago (built in the late 50's). Our kitchen has 2 switches on opposite sides of the room (near separate doorways) that I can't figure out what they control as neither seem to do anything.

I'll explain the switch wiring in the following manner:
Top Left : Top Right
Bottom Left : Bottom Right

The setup is as follows:

Junction Box 1

Switch 1 - Not sure what it controls
  • Black : Red
  • Ground : White
5n23Xg7.jpg



Junction Box 2

Switch 2 - Not sure what it controls (on left below)
  • Red : Black
  • Ground : Black

Switch 3 - Controls Kitchen Light (on right below)
  • (nothing) : Red
  • (nothing) : Black
The white in Junction Box 2 is connected together (see image below)
Wp8ayIJ.jpg
 
They may control outlets or, perhaps the previous owner had ceiling fans, lighting which were removed. Does the breaker box give any clues?
 
Ok first off the only grounds in there should only be the bare copper wire and they should be landed at green screws on the switches.

The second picture with the two switches, the one on the left in question where is the white going from the romex feeding it? Is it spliced to the group of whites or is it spliced to something else?
 
Kneedragger said:
Ok first off the only grounds in there should only be the bare copper wire and they should be landed at green screws on the switches.

The second picture with the two switches, the one on the left in question where is the white going? Is it spliced to the group of whites or is it spliced to something else?
Click to expand...

The grounds are bare copper and attached to green screws, so we are good there.

The second picture - only whites are spliced together and no white is connected to any switch.

Just to add a quick note: I used a Cable Tracer and can confirm that switch 1 is indeed connected to 2 and 3 via the black cable.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
They may control outlets or, perhaps the previous owner had ceiling fans, lighting which were removed. Does the breaker box give any clues?
Click to expand...

I checked the outlets around the area, none seem to be powered by a switch and all are live when the power is on.

No clues at the breaker unfortunately.
 
aphex said:
The grounds are bare copper and attached to green screws, so we are good there.

The second picture - only whites are spliced together and no white is connected to any switch.

Just to add a quick note: I used a Cable Tracer and can confirm that switch 1 is indeed connected to 2 and 3 via the black cable.
Click to expand...


Ok so another thing you need to clarify. Switch 1 and switch 2 how many screws are on the sides total? Don't count the green screw at all.
 
aphex said:
The grounds are bare copper and attached to green screws, so we are good there.

The second picture - only whites are spliced together and no white is connected to any switch.

Just to add a quick note: I used a Cable Tracer and can confirm that switch 1 is indeed connected to 2 and 3 via the black cable.
Click to expand...

This says to me that switch 1 and switch 2 OR switch 1 and switch 3 control the same thing. A 3 way switch. Could be wrong, but I also think that's what the RED wire is typically for.
 
Yep looks like 3 way switches to me, so two of those 3 ways are probably for the same thing, most likely a light somewhere. Look at the ceiling to see signs of drywall patching, maybe it's a light that was removed for whatever reason.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Yep looks like 3 way switches to me, so two of those 3 ways are probably for the same thing, most likely a light somewhere. Look at the ceiling to see signs of drywall patching, maybe it's a light that was removed for whatever reason.
Click to expand...

That's what it sounds like to me too.

It's possible the third switch controls a wall outlet in the kitchen, or (more likely?) the garbage disposal.
 
Also did you check both plugs when testing them for the single switch? Often when switches control plugs it only controls the top or bottom one, that way you can plug a lamp but still use the other for something that's always on.

It could also be that it used to be like that and someone went and hard wired it on. You could shut off breakers until there's no power at the switches, then check to see what else does not work, might give another clue.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Also did you check both plugs when testing them for the single switch? Often when switches control plugs it only controls the top or bottom one, that way you can plug a lamp but still use the other for something that's always on.

It could also be that it used to be like that and someone went and hard wired it on. You could shut off breakers until there's no power at the switches, then check to see what else does not work, might give another clue.
Click to expand...

I agree.
Since you can separate top and bottom plugs you need to also check both on all plugs.
 
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