Help Needed - Wiring a Lamp (Page 2): Thanks. I found that, but it doesn't cover my situation. My switch has three terminals. This diagram is what I need for wiring. It says, "Smooth...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Doowopa wrote:

how about this
https://www.do-it-yourself-help.com/wiring_diagrams_lamp_switches.html

Thanks. I found that, but it doesn't cover my situation. My switch has three terminals.

This diagram is what I need for wiring. It says, "Smooth wire from bottom light." The bottom light is small, like a Christmas tree light, and both wires are smooth. If I connect one wire to that terminal, where do I connect the other "...wire from the bottom light"? Whatever I do with that bottom light will require doing the connecting inside the base of the lamp.

soldermonkey Loc: South of Ding Dong Texas

The wire from the small light that connects to the outside or threaded portion of the lower lamp goes to the trrminal with the ribbed wire. That is the neutral and the other is the switched or high side and that wire is the one that goes to the center of the lower socket. I hope this is clear if not I will try again.

Dave

backroader Loc: Wherever we park our motorhome

If you have a tester, check continuity between terminals with the switch in different positions and write it down.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

Jerry, I believe that the terminal at the bottom of the photo is the Neutral, or Common terminal, and should be connected to the common wire of the power cord, and the wire that is connected to the outer shell(the hollow threaded part) of the auxiliary light socket. The hot wire of the power cord should be connected to the darker screw on the right, and the remaining wire should be connected to the brass colored screw. If that doesn't work, switch the two hot wires, because sometimes sockets made in China don't follow NFPA standards. If you have any more problems, don't hesitate to PM me.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Try sketching a wiring diagram of the sockets and switches. Make sure there are no bkack white crossovers.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

jerryc41 wrote:

Your wish is my command. I think this article has what I want in the last example, but the diagram is worthless to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-way_lamp

Do you have an ohm setting on your meter to see which terminals are connected with each knob setting. This will help in sketching the circuit.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

soldermonkey wrote:

The wire from the small light that connects to the outside or threaded portion of the lower lamp goes to the trrminal with the ribbed wire. That is the neutral and the other is the switched or high side and that wire is the one that goes to the center of the lower socket. I hope this is clear if not I will try again.

Dave

From what I understand, the smooth wire (top of socket) is hot, and the ribbed wire (left side) is neutral. One wire from the bottom light connects to that bottom terminal. If that's correct, then the other wire for the bottom light would connect to the ribbed wire terminal. In that case, I would make the connection to that neutral wire in the base of the lamp. I'll have to solder a wire to the wire that runs from the bottom light to the switch since it's a bit short. There isn't enough room inside the pipe for another wire, so that's why I'll have to connect the neutral to the ribbed wire inside the base. The wires on the bottom light are very thin, like the wiring on a car.

How does that sound?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jsmangis wrote:

Jerry, I believe that the terminal at the bottom o... (show quote)

See my response to soldermonkey above.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

John_F wrote:

Do you have an ohm setting on your meter to see which terminals are connected with each knob setting. This will help in sketching the circuit.

Yes, I do. As for the sketch, that's what I was hoping to find online. Here's a quick pencil sketch of what I think is the correct wiring.

.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

troutbum wrote:

I guess u did not take the lamp apart which is a shame, as we being photographers we can take pictures of the original to aid in reassembly. Gud luck

Yes, I like to take lots of pictures as I disassemble something. Always comes in handy.

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

jerryc41 wrote:

Thanks. I found that, but it doesn't cover my situation. My switch has three terminals.

This diagram is what I need for wiring. It says, "Smooth wire from bottom light." The bottom light is small, like a Christmas tree light, and both wires are smooth. If I connect one wire to that terminal, where do I connect the other "...wire from the bottom light"? Whatever I do with that bottom light will require doing the connecting inside the base of the lamp.

I scrolled down to the floor lamp switch, thought it might be the same type. 3 terminals
good luck

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Doowopa wrote:

I scrolled down to the floor lamp switch, thought it might be the same type. 3 terminals
good luck

This is the type of socket I have.

http://dgrichbrand.en.made-in-china.com/product/pSqnBRYTOeha/China-E26-Turn-Knob-Swithc-Lampholders-2-Circuit-3-Terminal-Wa-504b.html

Steve EV

I would guess the center terminal is riveted to the shell and is the neutral or white wire. The line input is generally the gold screw, which appears to be the terminal on the left. The black terminal to the right is most likely the switched output to the remote socket.

For new wiring I would connect the white wire to the white screws of both sockets which connect to the shells. The black wire from power source will connect to the gold screw of the three way switch. The remaining black wire will connect the black screw on the three way to the gold screw on the remote socket.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Got it! I wired it as I showed in my hi-tech electrical circuit diagram above, and it works. One click, and the top light comes on, then the little bottom light, then both lights. I'll be relieved to get it back to the owners tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

Great