Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box.
How To Wire A 3 Way Light Switch Family Handyman
Diagram of three way switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Two three way switches control one light with the electric power coming through the first switch flowing to the second switch and then to the light fixture. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. Traveler wires are interchangeable.
The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. It really is intended to aid all of the typical consumer in creating a suitable program. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. These instructions will be easy to grasp and use. The basic 3 way switch wiring diagram this is the most common and the easiest wiring diagram to follow of any of the wiring diagrams for a 3 way switch circuit. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
If you intend to add multiple lights with a 3 way switch use the 3 way switch for multiple lights diagram. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. 3 way switch wiring diagram. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 3 way switch wiring diagram variations wiring diagram leviton 3 way switch wiring diagram. The ground wire goes through both switch boxes and the ceiling light box and it is connected at all junctions except the light with a pigtail short piece of wire and wire connector. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. Most common is the single pole switch the type used to control a light fixture from a single locationthe next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations.
This wire diagram shows the wiring for source power into the first three way switch then 3 wire cable to the next 3 way light switch and then on to the light or light fixtures. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Important note about your safety. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Before you grab your toolbox and set out to wire a three way switch wire a ceiling fan or any other electrical work be sure to take proper safety precautions. Wiring diagram arrives with several easy to adhere to wiring diagram instructions.
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. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.