Wiring A Three Way Switch Diagram

The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. When wiring a 3 way switch circuit all we want to do is to control the black wire hot wire to turn on and off the load from 2 different locations.

3 Way Switch Wiring Electrical 101

Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.

Wiring a three way switch diagram. Bare copper ground. Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative.

The system also requires three way switches. Black wire power or hot wire. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation then you will need to identify the function of each wire.

Watch all videos below for easy steps. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.

3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire electrical boxes of appropriate size to hold 3 way switch and wire. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.

Three way switches require a three wire cable. 143 with ground or 123 with ground wire best to use between switches. The cable should also have a ground wire or a total of four wires in the cable.

Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. A non contact voltage tester.

All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch.

Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

Traveler wires go on the brass screws. White wire neutral. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch.

Bare copper ground. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.

Add an electrical box for the second three way switch in the basement. The power wire the neutral wire and the traveller or switch wire. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.

3 way switch diagram tips continuous hot and light feed wire goes on black screw. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. Red wire power or hot wire.

Wire cutters and strippers.

3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram