Newbie Question: 3-way switch, primary works fine, aux doesn't seem to work

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I am sure this has been answered before somewhere, but I can’t find it. I just installed a new 3 way GE switch. It took a while to figure out all the wiring, but I finally got the primary switch to work perfect. The problem is that the AUX switch that goes with it, doesn’t seem to work at all. I don’t think it is a wiring issue, but was wondering if there was some pairing or something that I might have forgot to do.

Also does it matter which traveller wire is plugged in?

My wires look like this:
Primary:
Load :Black
Line :Black
Neutral :White
Traveller :Red
Ground :copper

Aux:
Traveller :Red
Neutral: White
Ground: Copper
tied the 2 blacks together with a nut, not attached to the aux switch.

Did I need to pair the aux switch? Should I have used a different traveller? Is there a way to test it is working?
Primary is located in the garage and aux is located at the front door.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Shawn

2

no pairing with the GE as the aux and master are wired together through the traveler. It looks like you wired everything correctly.
Did you disconnect both original switches before you hooked up the the Aux?

3

Yes, I disconnected both switches, then wired the primary, then wired the aux.

4

Are you sure that you positively identified all the wires?
Why are there two blacks in the the Aux box, if the line and load are in the primary box? Does the line or load come from the Aux box?

Does the neutral in the Aux box connect back to the neutral in the primary? It needs to.

Hopefully this diagram will help.

5

I think it looks more like this diagram. The two black wires are from the line and a traveler. The neutral is the same neutral on both switches and is connected to both.

6

Don’t think, be sure. Positively identify every wire.

Your diagram should work. However, if, as in your diagram, the line is coming into the Aux box, then the neutral and ground would normally be there too.

7

Be very sure about the wiring. It is true you tie through the black from the master through to the black going to the light. The only switch that does anything in the new set up is the master. The traveler provides the power to the aux from the master. This is ONLY to run the electronics in the aux.

If the master is successfully controlling the light, but the aux is not talking to the master, then the problem is likely with the traveler wire connection. Check to make sure you wired it up correctly (again) and use a continuity tester if you can. It is also possible that somehow you may have blown the fuse within the aux, at which point you need to replace it.

If you have an extra aux, just swap it, they are not matched pairs with the master.