Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.
How To Wire A 3 Way Switch
Three way switch diagram. 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. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 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. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Wiring a 3 way light switch.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. 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. 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.
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. 3 way switch wiring diagram. Traveler wires are interchangeable. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
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. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way.
Gallery of Three Way Switch Diagram
