This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. The answer to how it works is to have an extra hot wire that runs between the two switch boxes.
3 Way Switch With Power Feed Via The Light Multiple Lights
Three way switch wiring diagram multiple lights. The most important rationale is that there are several ways that a three way switch can be wired. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. 3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. Click the icons below to get our nec compliant electrical calc elite or electric toolkit available for android and ios. On this page are several wiring diagrams that can be used to map 3 way lighting circuits depending on the location of the source in relation to the switches and lights.
3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. Common wire is wrapped three times around the two traveler wires for the 3 way switch on the right. If you intend to add multiple lights with a 3 way switch use the 3 way switch for multiple lights diagram. Two switch box wiring image. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The steps above describe installing a 3 way switch and provide a 3 way switch diagram utilizing one light fixture.
3 way switch wiring diagram. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. Multiple switch wiring 3 way and single pole. It is not unusual for the wires inside of an outlet box to be covered by spray paint from the initial construction of a dwelling. This diagram sh ows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit.
An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. 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. 3 way switch diagram multiple light between switches 2 pdf 79kb back to wiring diagrams home. Wiring multiple lights on a 3 way switch. Also included are diagrams for 3 way dimmers a 3 way ceiling fan switch and an arrangement for a switched outlet from two locations. Wiring a 3 way switch isnt that difficult.
The electrical calc elite is designed to solve many of your common code based electrical calculations like wire sizes voltage drop conduit sizing etc. In other words a 3 way switch is made up of one light thats controlled by two separate switches. Note that this configuration is easiest to do when utilizing the first method of 3 way circuits discussed previously in our wiring a basic 3 way switch article or diagram. Wiring a 3 way light switch. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward.