With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Traveler wires are interchangeable.
Power Feed Via Light How To Wire A Light Switch
Wiring diagram of a 3 way switch. Wiring a 3 way light switch. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. 3 way switch wiring diagram. This electrical wiring diagram shows power into light switch box 1 wire to light from switch box 1 and from switch box 1 to three way light switch box 2. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
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 diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit. In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location.