Run new cable romex between the 3 way switches. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
2 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Light Wiring
How to install three way switch diagram. Once your boxes are in place you can start the process of installing and wiring the switches themselves. The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. 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. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
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. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. 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. 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.
In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. Snap off the plaster ears and install the switch. 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. Clamp the second electrical box to the wall and wire a three way switch following figure b.
Of insulation from the end of each wire then connect the wires following figure b and photo 5. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out its also one of the most useful. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. Refer to the above 3 way switch diagram.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.