All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load.
Multiple Switch Wiring Diagram H1 Wiring Diagram
3 way switch wiring with 2 wire cable. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch. In the future a person could add another receptacle by running a 2 wire cable from either switch box to the new receptacle. 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. It all depends on what you are wiring and what the electrical application will be. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
2 and 3 wire cables can have several uses such as home run power feeds going back to the panel branch feeds single switching 3 way switching 4 way switching etc. The cable consist of a black wire a. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. Run a length of 14 2 cable from each 3 way switch to the light fixture and a third one between the.
The first way of wiring uses a couple of two way light switches with a 3 wire control. Traveler wires are interchangeable. It should also help in understanding the functions of each type of switch. 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. When wiring a 2 way switch circuit all youre really doing is controlling the power flow switching offon to the load a light lamp outlet ceiling fan etc now a typical circuit will contain a 3 wire cable known as romex. 3 way switch wiring methods best blog explaining 3 ways with wiring diagrams photos and 10 different 3 way switch wiring methods used in buildings throughout the us 120 volt.
The following is the simple schematic of a three wire 2 way switch wiring. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire. The following image shows the front and back view of a typical household two way switch. Standard 2 way switch wiring. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.
End of run lights controlled by two three way switches these end of run lights are controlled by two three way switches with a two wire cable power source coming through the first three way switch. There is a way to wire a light fixture controlled with two 3 way switches using only 14 2 cable. Tipthe white or neutral wire goes completely through the connection system with pigtail connections at both switches and the first light box. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch.