3 way pull switch...

Profile picture for Trump Junior
Ceiling light in bedroom.  I put a 3-way switch on wall outside the bedroom.  I wired it to a new "3-way" pull switch on the lamp, but I have to pull the switch 2 times to get it to turn on or off and in one position, the wall switch can't turn on the lamp.  Did I wire it wrong?  I tried many combinations.  I was unable to find the answer on the internet.  Should I just put a normal 3-way switch on the wall above the bed as seems to be the way most people solve the problem or is there a way to have a 3 way pull switch that works correcly:  1 pull to turn it off and 1 pull to turn it.
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November 01 2009 - US
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Answers (6)

Best Answer
Hi Trump,
You have confused the two.
The 3 way switch is for switching at two or more locations.
The 3 pull switch is for a 3way light bulb or 3 way lamp. ( 50, 100 150 watt lamps )
They do not work hand in hand.
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February 12 2010
Profile picture for Trump Junior
Hey SoCal,

While I've got you on the line.  If I go the remote switch route, would you recommend the X-10 (which you made a business of repairing!) or a Levitron solution or something else?
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February 12 2010
Profile picture for Trump Junior
Yes, so far I have been unable to find any such thing as a real 3-way pull switch.  No matter what it says on the box they are really 3-position switches and don't work for what I want.  The only answer so far is I would have to use some kind of remote switching technology, which I haven't tried yet because it would put me out about $150.  I can't believe that in a country so great as America we don't have a 3-way pull switch!!!!!
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February 12 2010
Profile picture for wetdawgs
I once installed a switch by the head of the bed plus one by the door so that the overhead lamp could be operated from both locations.  It was very convenient!
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November 03 2009
Profile picture for Trump Junior
I think you are right and that is why the switch doesn't perform the way I want.  I guess I am trying to fit a square peg in a round hole and will have to use wall switches all around. 

Anybody have a setup in their bedroom where they can turn the ceiling lamp off or on by a pull switch and also on or off by a wall switch outside the room?  I'd be interested to know if the solution is out there somewhere and I just haven't found it.
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November 03 2009
Profile picture for bladebuddy
Trump, The only reference I can find to a "3 way pull switch" is the kind you put into fans w/ lights. These are set so that each of the 3 possible "on" positions allow a different Volt&Amp level which makes the fan turn at different speeds.The Sequence of operation (per pull) is: Low, Medium, High, Off

I've never heard of and can't find reference to a switch like the one you describe. Any chance you bought one of these thinking it would do what its just not built to do?

If you can post a link to the pull switch product, I'll take a look and tell you what I think's gone wrong. Other than that, this is the page I use for reference in wiring 3 ways.

http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm
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November 02 2009
 

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