With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Wiring 3 Way Insteon Switches Home Automation Guru
Wire for 3 way switch. To wire a 3 way light switch youll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. 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. Here a ceiling fan with a light kit is controlled with two 3 way switches. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. Ceiling fan 3 way switch wiring.
When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step. 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. Turn the power off at circuit breaker. In this wiring the source is at sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between each switch and the ceiling fan.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on. This is the same arrangement as the second diagram on this page with a fan in place of the light fixture. Wiring a 3 way light 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. Traveler wire terminals these are located on each side of the switch towards the top of the switch.
A 3 way switch will not have the words on or off written on it. 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. Before you start installing take a look at your new 3 way switch to identify all of the terminals that you will be connecting wires to. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one locationa third type is the four way switch which is used in conjunction with two three way switches to control lighting from more than two locationsthis configuration may be used in open plan homes or in large kitchens or great rooms where a central bank of lighting fixtures might.
First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. 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. Replace any regular switches with the 3 way switches.
Gallery of Wire For 3 Way Switch
