Unfortunately not all 3 way switches are wired the conventional way. 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.
Single Light Between 3 Way Switches With The Power Feed Via
Electrical diagram for 3 way light 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. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram youre following youll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. 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. No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxesno longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device.
The diagrams below show the conventional wiring for 3 way switches. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Now discussing 3 way light switch wiring diagram as also discussed above the color codes of the wires as having three insulated conductors as black as hot red as switch wire or called traveler and white as common wire as also shown when light is connected to both black and white wires. 3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
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. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. See alternate 3 way switch wiring configuration for another way 3 way switches may be wired. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 3 way switch wiring diagram line to light fixtureline voltage enters the light fixture outlet box. 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 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. Wiring a 3 way light switch. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
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. If you have any problems with these switches it may be best to call an electrician. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Gallery of Electrical Diagram For 3 Way Light Switch
