3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. Also known as three way switching the job calls for a pair of special three way switches and an appropriate length of 14 3 conductor cable to join the switches together.
Neutral Necessity Wiring Three Way Switches Jlc Online
Wiring a 3 way switch with one 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. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. In a four way switch configuration three switches control a single fixture whether it is a light receptacle or other appliance. Wiring two switches to one light fixture adds convenience to any room with two entryways. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. 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.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out its also one of the most useful. The most basic three way switch setup has two switches that connect and control one light fixture like switches on either end of a hallway staircase or large living area. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. 3 way switch wiring diagram line to light fixtureline voltage enters the light fixture outlet box.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. In the ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxesno longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes.
The configuration is called four way because the middle switch in the circuit has four connecting terminals rather than the usual three found on most switches. The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. How to wire a one way lighting circuit in this tutorial i show how to wire a one way light switch i show how a 1 way and 2 way light switch works i explain how to wire a ceiling rose how to. 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.