3 pole dimmer install- unusual wiring??

[Jeff33]

Hi, first I am not an electrician but do a lot of DIY. I have a ceiling fan that has a separate dimmer for the light and a separate fan "dimmer". The unit is set up as a 3 way. I want to replace the incandescent light dimmer with Lutron led dimmer. The research of the wiring I did leaves me questioning, and I want to ensure the correct install. My understanding is that the red stripe and the red wire on new dimmer are travelers and connect to white and red on old dimmer. the black is where I'm not sure how to connect bc on old dimmer it has a red wire connected to copper screw going up to ceiling fixture(I think). Connecting blk to this wire seems only possible way I see. But because of the this set up, it doesn't make sense to my non- electrician brain unless the power is coming down blue/red connection in ceiling fan/light) from fixture to this terminal. I attach a wiring diagram and pictures. Any help giving me guidance of how to connect the new dimmer is much appreciated thank you.

 

[Jeff33]

Is there a reason why no responses?

 

[PGB1]

Is there a reason why no responses?

i Jeff33,
I noticed that your post was made 13 days ago, yet today is the first time it was on the Forum Activity e-mail that I receive daily. Maybe it was lost in cyber space for a while.

From here, and without testers in hand, it is difficult to diagnose your question. But your photos & good drawing help.

Hopefully A Review Of The Basics Will Help-
A) The "Travelers" from one switch connect to the "Travelers" on the other switch- not to line and not to the lamp.

B) One switch's non-traveler (the odd color screw, usually copper or brass) connects to the light fixture.

C) The other switch's non-traveler connects to incoming Line sided voltage.

In your Second Photo, it appears that the two grouped on the left are the travelers. (Black & Red w/Stripe)
BUT READ THE DIRECTIONS WHICH CAME WITH THE SWITCH TO BE CERTAIN!!!!

Let us know how the project went!
Paul

 

[Jeff33]

Thank you. I am away for a next week so will follow up afterwards. Appreciate your time

 

[Jeff33]

Ok. I am back. I follow what you’re saying. If I was replacing other switch of the 3-way set up, I get it but the switch in question is puzzling me.

I will simplify photos. First is new 3way dimmer switch. Second is Lutron diagram. 3rd is switch I need to replace.

Black is common on new switch per diagram so I assume red and r/w stripe are travelers on new switch.

On switch to be replaced the red and white on brass screws are travelers and red on copper goes to light.

So if I connect r&w travelers to red & r/w stripe on new switch where does black(common) on new switch go to and where do I attach red wire on copper screw of old switch to? Doesn’t seem right to connect blk common to light switch????

 

[Jeff33]

Well, what I thought was wrong, was right. The black coming out of the new dimmer is the common that goes to the red wire off the copper screw of the old switch that goes to the light. The red and red striped white on new dimmer are travelers. Boy did I overthink this.