If two switches control a single light or a group of lights you will. With a three way dimmer you can control a light with two switches.
How To Wire A 3 Way Dimmer Switch
Wiring a dimmer on a 3 way switch. They allow you the ability to turn the lights on or off from either location. How to wire a switch. This lets you dim from one location and turn the lights on and off from another. How to wire a three way dimmer switch. This arrangement allows for lowering the lights in a 3 way circuit. These wires attach to the travelers which are the pair of wires attached to the two screws at one end of the regular 3 way switch.
In the diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the dimmer boxthe black line wire connects to the common terminal of the 3 way dimmera 3 wire nm connects the travelers of the dimmer to the travelers of the 3 way switchtraveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. Dimmers come in two basic wiring configurations. More about wiring dimmer switches. Wiring 3way switches typically a 3 wire cable with a ground is installed between the two three way light switches. 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. After the lighting level has been set on one dimmer the other switch will turn.
A standard single pole dimmers 2 way or three way dimmers. Attach to the bonded ground wires in the switch box. Wiring a 3 way light switch. There are several 3 way switch wiring configurations which are based on where the electrical power enters the lighting circuit and the wiring to the light switches. Skip navigation sign in. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
Find the correct wiring for a 3 way switch in 2 minutes. With a standard 2 way dimmer a single switch controls a single light. It doesnt matter if you reverse the two switch wires to a single pole dimmer. 3 way dimmer switch wiring diagrams. How to wire a 3 way dimmer with wire leads. Three way switches can commonly be found at either end of a hallway near the doors of a very large room with multiple entryways or at the top and bottom of a set of stairs.
It should also help in understanding the functions of each type of switch. With a three way dimmer you can control a light from 2 different locations. The following 3 diagrams show the wiring for a specially made dimmer that can be used in these circuits in place of either of the the 3 way switches or both. You will need a three way dimmer and a three way switch. If only one switch controls the light purchase a single pole dimmer. But if youre replacing a three way switch with a three way dimmer label the common wire itll be labeled on the old switch when you remove the old switch so you can connect it to the common terminal on the dimmer.
How to wire a 3 way dimmer with wire leads. Plus learn how to change a single. 3 way dimmer switches typically come with the following pre wired leads. Wiring a standard 3 way dimmer switch.
Gallery of Wiring A Dimmer On A 3 Way Switch
