I tried installing a 3-way TP-Link HS210 switch in my staircase, and I have a few questions:
Both switches have: Black wire connected to a black screw (common wire?) White wire connected to a gold screw (neutral?) Red white connected on the opposite side (traveler?)
The switch is inside a metal box with the ground copper wire tied around a screw
- Both switches have the exact same configuration, the only difference is the one at the bottom is in a 2 gang box, but with independent sources feeding into it so I don't think it makes a difference (?)
The ground copper wire is too short to pull out to connect to the switch - should I get an extension and crimp them together, or can I just cap the ground green wire from the TP-Link switch and call it a day?
I made the connections to the new switches:
- Black wire to the black screw on the HS-210
- Tied the 2 white wires together and capped them
- Red wire to the traveler screw on the HS-210
I did this for both switches, flipped the power back on and instead of flashing green/orange, the switch flashes orange with a blue circle (power)
So this leads me to believe that it's a wiring issue and not an internet/connection issue.
Next I tried connecting the old switch at the bottom of the stairs and the HS-210 at the top of the stairs. I was then able to connect to the switch, but when I flipped the old switch on, the lights just turned on/off repeatedly.
I just put the old switches back for now until I can figure this out, but any help would be greatly appreciated.