Single pole switches with one switch controlling one light are marked with an on and off position. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
Lighting Circuit Diagrams For 1 2 And 3 Way Switching
Wiring a two way switch to a three way switch. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. The spdt toggle switch can be considered as a two way light switch as it has three terminals and works very similar to the two way light switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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. Go to my switch terminology page where i discuss the terms used for the different types of home electrical switches. Wiring a 2 way switch is about as simple as it gets when it comes to basic house wiring.
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. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. First of all we need to go over a little terminology so you know exactly what is being discussed. The green is for the ground wire and the other two on either side are for the black hot wire. A three way switch has no marking because there is no consistent on or off position. A basic two way switch is pretty straight forward.
The on off can change depending on the position of the second three way switch. The following image shows a typical spdt toggle switch with its terminals. 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. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Youll only have three screws. 3 way switch wiring diagram.
For wiring i have selected the standard way with a 37v lithium ion battery as the power supply. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Take a look at the switches in your home. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
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. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire.
Gallery of Wiring A Two Way Switch To A Three Way Switch
