Before you grab your toolbox and set out to wire a three way switch wire a ceiling fan or any other electrical work be sure to take proper safety precautions. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
3 Way Switches Explained How To Wire 3 Way Light Switch
Simple three way switch diagram. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. This wire diagram shows the wiring for source power into the first three way switch then 3 wire cable to the next 3 way light switch and then on to the light or light fixtures. Traveler wires are interchangeable. 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. Wiring a 3 way light switch. The diagram below provides a simple layout of a three way light setup and you can see the red wire is the extra wire thats needed to make it all happen conveniently enough red wire is normally used in real life in three way circuits as well.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. Important note about your safety. 3 way switch schematic wiring diagram.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The basic 3 way switch wiring diagram this is the most common and the easiest wiring diagram to follow of any of the wiring diagrams for a 3 way switch circuit. If you intend to add multiple lights with a 3 way switch use the 3 way switch for multiple lights diagram. Below is a simple 3 way schematic that can be applied to all three way electrical light switch connections.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Most common is the single pole switch the type used to control a light fixture from a single locationthe next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. Two very old three way switches are depicted in the photo above.
This is only a wiring schematic and not the actual wiring method used for 3 way switch installations. 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. 3 way switch wiring diagram. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. 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. Two very old three way switches.
Gallery of Simple Three Way Switch Diagram
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