3 way light switch wiring diagram see below. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagrams Mr Electrician
How to wire up a 3 way switch. Power through switch light is controlled by two three way switches with the light between the switches and the power first going through a switch then to the light and onto the second three way switch. Wire cutters and strippers. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Traveler wires are interchangeable. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.
Heres how to wire a three way switch with easy tips from the family handyman. 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. Wiring a 3 way light switch. A non contact voltage tester. For choosing wire color for your circuit see later in this page. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Fixture between two three way switches. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. For more than two switches one or more 4 way switches are added between the 3 way switches. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn.
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. Controlling a light with three or more switches. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. A 4 way switch has two positions.
Connect the ground wire to the green screw. 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. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one locationa third type is the four way switch which is used in conjunction with two three way switches to control lighting from more than two locationsthis configuration may be used in open plan homes or in large kitchens or great rooms where a central bank of lighting fixtures might.