The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
File 3 Way Dimmer Switch Wiring Pdf Wikimedia Commons
Wire diagram for three way switch. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. 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. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram youre following youll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire. Traveler wires are interchangeable.
Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.