Traveler wires are interchangeable. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement.
How To Wire A Light Switch 3 Way Switch Wiring Guide
How to wire a 3 way electrical switch. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the fixture. A non contact voltage tester. The white wire becomes the. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram.
Two 3 way switches are required in any 3 way application. Its likely youll also need to replace the existing switch box with a larger one to accommodate the extra wires for the 3 way switch. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire between the two boxes. Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. A 3 way wall switch controls a common light or set of lights from two separate switch locations.
Wire cutters and strippers. 3 way light switch wiring diagram see below. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire electrical boxes of appropriate size to hold 3 way switch and wire. Diagram 1 above shows the electricity source starting at the left 3 way switch.
Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Before proceeding make sure you are comfortable working with electrical wires and switches. 3 way switches explained how to wire 3 way light switch duration. The engineering mindset 480796 views. This guide highlights the procedures for replacing a broken 3 way electrical switch. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look.
In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. To wire a 3 way light switch youll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. Craig michaud electrical instructor 17606 views. The purpose of a three way electrical switch knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. A three way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room.