weird wiring? explain?

[tdunks]

Ok I just replaces some switches in my house and found some awefully weird wiring. One 3 way receptacle has black black and white off of it with a black and white marretted together but at the other end it is normal black red white on the switch. The light works and is controlled by both switches.

On another switch witch is 2 way has 2 blacks off of one side (one thru the hole in the back and one on the screw) and a 3rd black on the bottom screw. In the boc there is also 3 whites marretted.

Attached is a picture explaining it. When wires are open ended and close that means they are part of one wire coming into the box.

[tdunks]

any thoughts?

[[XC] 2long4u]

Move to the US. Thats messed up!

[tdunks]

our electrical codes are much the same. I bet some of you have similar things in your home that you just havent discovered.

[trance565]

the third wire is generally a ground wire. but the fact that they are all black is kind of scary. makes you wonder which ones are the live ones, and which is the ground.

[[XC] Hicks121]

Look for the wire that is attached to the strap(the frame of the switch), that should be the ground.

[tdunks]

there is ALSO bare copper grounds from each one of the wires.

[[XC] Hicks121]

Dude, take a pic for me at what yur lookn at & i can help. Also take a pic of the wires in the box. Was an electrician. Got a multi meter too bro?

[tdunks]

thats exactly how it is in the pic i uploaded...i dont have a digi cam but it does work fine. the black triangles are marrettes and anywhere the ends of wires are close is where a wire goes into the box.