The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
31 Common Household Circuit Wirings You Can Use For Your Home 3
How to run wire for a three way switch. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire electrical boxes of appropriate size to hold 3 way switch and wire. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. A non contact voltage tester.
Wire cutters and strippers. To wire a 3 way light switch youll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. Take your three way switch. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. You will see a black screw and two gold screws on the switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
Strip all three wires with wire strippers. You should have three remaining wires in each box. 3 way light switch wiring diagram see below. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. End of run lights controlled by two three way switches these end of run lights are controlled by two three way switches with a two wire cable power source coming through the first three way switch.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Remember the black wire that you wrapped around the traveler wires is the common. Traveler wires are interchangeable. To use a three way switch as a single pole one connect the hot wires to the common terminal and the traveler on the same side of the switch body. 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. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Tipthe white or neutral wire goes completely through the connection system with pigtail connections at both switches and the first light box. You dont need the other terminal on the three way switch so its fine to cover it over with electrical tape to ensure the terminals dont get mixed up. Two black and one red. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light.