Three Way Switch Wire Colors - Wiring Diagram Info

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.

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Three way switch wire colors. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. When wiring a 3 way switch circuit we will be using a 3 wire cable known as romex coming from the source such as the breaker box. These switches have two light colored terminals and one dark colored terminal plus a ground screw. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.

3 way switch wire colorsthere is no standard for wire colors on 3 way switch travelersthe colors will vary depending on whether nm cable or conduit was used. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. 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. If you find wires in either of these colors youve located the neutral wires. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way.

This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load. Color coding on three way switches is very important. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. With nm cable the wire colors for travelers will be black and red using 3 wire cablewith conduit the wire colors for travelers could be any color. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.

The dark colored terminal is the common terminal and brings power from the source to the light fixture. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire. The light colored terminals are the traveler terminals and are interchangeable. Then blue wires are most often used as travelers for three or four way switches for instance if you have switches at the top and bottom of a staircase that control the same light thats a three way switch. White and gray electrical wires. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.

All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.

Gallery of Three Way Switch Wire Colors