Wiring a 3 way light switch. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box.
3 Way Switch Wiring Electrical 101
Electrical 3 way switch wiring. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Power through switch light is controlled by two three way switches with the light between the switches and the power first going through a switch then to the light and onto the second three way switch. 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 ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture. Traveler wires are interchangeable. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
To illustrate the wiring of these 3 way switches switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Fixture between two three way switches. The travelers black and red from the 143 will connect to the same screws as on the other 3 way switch and the black wire going to the light will tie on to the common screw. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. While wiring a 3 way switch is more involved than something simple like installing an electrical box for an electric fireplace the task can be simple enough if you follow along with these instructions.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. 3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end in this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The travelers actually pass the electricity between the two 3 way switches as well as the 4 way switches shown in the 4 way switching wiring diagrams.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. There are a number of different 3 way wiring configurations that you may come across and need to know how to wire. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Different 3 way wiring configurations. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.
Gallery of Electrical 3 Way Switch Wiring
