This guide highlights the procedures for replacing a broken 3 way electrical switch. It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward.
3 Way Switch 2 Black 1 White How To Wire A Light Fixture With
How to wire a 3 way switch with 2 lights. The hot source is connected to the common terminal of sw1. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. This diagram sh ows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit. The answer to how it works is to have an extra hot wire that runs between the two switch boxes. Note that this configuration is easiest to do when utilizing the first method of 3 way circuits discussed previously in our wiring a basic 3 way switch article or diagram. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components.
At the lights the hot source is spliced to the black wire running between lights it does not connect to the lights. 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. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. The most important rationale is that there are several ways that a three way switch can be wired. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.
If your 3 way light switch 2 is connected between the power supply and the light fixture as is most common. Before replacing any 3 way switches that are broken turn off the power at the breaker box. A 3 way wall switch controls a common light or set of lights from two separate switch locations. Two 2 wire cables c3 and c4 run between the fixtures and a 3 wire cable c2 runs from the second fixture f2 to the second 3 way switch sw2. The existing 2 wire black and white romex can still be used to connect a 3 way switch 2 and the light fixture. Two 3 way switches are required in any 3 way application.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. Wiring a 3 way switch isnt that difficult. 3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures. In other words a 3 way switch is made up of one light thats controlled by two separate switches. Here 3 wire cable runs between l1 and l2 2 wire cable runs from the last light to sw1 and more 3 wire cable runs from sw1 to the 4 way switch and then to sw2. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.
Gallery of How To Wire A 3 Way Switch With 2 Lights
