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Since the light switch for these wires come from the living room (and this switch is in the entryway), and since all my 3-ways are like this in the house, I actually think this is how the original wiring was. All of these looked completely untouched when I opened them. The plastic on some switches also broke off on the back when sticking a flathead in the hole to pull out the pushed-in wires. But I agree, it's strange they're using that existing neutral wire for the other circuit.Sawtaytoes– Sawtaytoes2026-04-30 03:46:13 +00:00Commented yesterday
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Ah yeah, the faceplates on all my switches are also from the same timeframe. Quite a few broke when messing with them which is also why I've been switching them out.Sawtaytoes– Sawtaytoes2026-04-30 03:58:54 +00:00Commented yesterday
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Another method I came up with to deal with this shared neutral situation is to use 2 smart switches. The first switch would control the light circuit (which I'd have it set to anyway), the second switch (in this box) would be virtual-only. It'd be connected by pigtail line + neutral, but it wouldn't control the lights. Doing this eliminates the missing traveler setup and needs software for light control (as I already have everywhere anyway).Sawtaytoes– Sawtaytoes2026-04-30 04:05:13 +00:00Commented yesterday
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I actually have this exact box with 2 AUX switches now. Still the same issue as shown because I still need 3 wires: power, neutral, traveler (signaling); and I only have 2 (traveler and power). 2 smart switches eliminates the need for the 3rd traveler.Sawtaytoes– Sawtaytoes2026-04-30 04:05:15 +00:00Commented yesterday
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True, @Sawtaytoes , smart switches would cover this. Also switches with a remote radio transmitter, not "smart" as in the usual add-on bloat with Wi-fi and all the rest, just a radio remote control that looks like or at least mounts in a switch box.Triplefault– Triplefault2026-04-30 16:45:50 +00:00Commented 17 hours ago
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