The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Three way switches can be wired in a number of different ways depending on where they are located relative to the light fixture in the circuit cable runs.
Wiring A 3 Way Switch
How to wire a three way switch circuit. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. Reconnect one pigtail to the 3 way common screw. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device.
Run a 2 wireblackwhite cable between the new light box and the second set of switches. Remove the white wire marked with black tape from the common screw of the left 3 way switch and splice it together with two short lengths pigtails of black wire with the same gauge. For example they can be arranged so that the feed cable runs to the first three way switch then to the light fixture box then to the second three way switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Very few three way circuits switch loads on a 20 amp circuit. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative.
In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. Traveler wires are interchangeable. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Turn the power off at circuit breaker. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. 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 entry was posted in indoor wiring diagrams and tagged 3 way circuit 3 way switch 3 way switch variation diagram do it yourself hot receptacle house wiring receptacle wiring wiring diagram. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on. Use the smaller easier to work and less expensive 14 14 gauge copper romex cable if the circuit is protected by a 15 amp fuse or circuit breaker.
Gallery of How To Wire A Three Way Switch Circuit
