Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. Attach the other two wires the travelers to the other two terminals of the switch.
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How to identify common wire in 3 way switch. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. Before you start installing take a look at your new 3 way switch to identify all of the terminals that you will be connecting wires to. A 3 way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Iâ ve decided to put this faq together to help those with questions about installing ge 3 way switches. Most switches have the common marked. Traveler wire terminals these are located on each side of the switch towards the top of the switch.
If there is a bare ground wire attach that to the ground lug of the switch. It may be a different colored screw usually black while the others are brass colored or there may be a stamping on the side or back of th. Turn main power off if possible for safety. Make sure power is off. From the dimmer 3 wire cable runs to the other switch and 2 wire cable runs to the light fixture. A 3 way switch will not have the words on or off written on it.
At the 3 way switch the white cable wire is marked black and connected to the common terminal. Two of the terminals are a light colorbronze or copper coloredand are called travelers. Replace any regular switches with the 3 way switches. The single dark colored screw is known as the common terminal. A more positive way to identify a 3 way switch is to look at the body of the switch and count the number of screw terminals. The hot wire from the breaker usually black neutral.
3 install the first 3 way switch in the box with the hot wire attaching the hot wire to the common terminal of the switch. 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. The source hot wire is spliced to the common on the dimmer and the neutral is splice through to the light fixture.
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