It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
2 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Light Wiring
3 way switch wiring diagram multiple lights pdf. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Here the source and the fixtures come before the switches. The leviton 15 amp decora 3 way gray switch can easily replace standard devices throughout your home and adds the perfect finishing touch. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 3 way switch diagram multiple lights pdf 65kb back to wiring diagrams home. 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.
3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. This arrangement allows for lowering the lights in a 3 way circuit. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Wiring 2 lights and 3 way 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.
In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. 3 way dimmer switch wiring diagrams. As you work with din standard wiring certain numbers will be seen more often. Traveler wires are interchangeable. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 3 way switch wiring diagram.
An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. As with the other diagrams on this page more lights can be added by duplicating the wiring arrangement between the fixtures. 3 way switch multiple lights this diagram shows how to connect a three way switch with power coming into the first switch then to the second then on to two or more lights. The electrical calc elite is designed to solve many of your common code based electrical calculations like wire sizes voltage drop conduit sizing etc. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. This diagram illustrates another multiple light circuit controlled by 3 way switches.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. Click the icons below to get our nec compliant electrical calc elite or electric toolkit available for android and ios. This switch controls lights. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. 3 way switch diagram multiple light between switches 2 pdf 79kb back to wiring diagrams home.
This method is easy to do once you wire the basic 3 way switch circuit. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. 3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures. 3 way switch wiring diagram multiple lights pdf.