When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. This option actually requires you to run two romex lines between the lights.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram House Electrical Wiring Diagram
How to wire a three way switch with two lights. Two 2 wire cables run between each light fixture after that and 3 wire cable runs from the last light to sw2. This diagram sh ows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. If your 3 way light switch 2 is connected between the power supply and the light fixture as is most common. It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward. The neutral is spliced to the white cable wire running to the lights and then spliced with a pigtail to the neutral terminal at l1.
Note that this configuration is easiest to do when utilizing the first method of 3 way circuits discussed previously in our wiring a basic 3 way switch article or diagram. At the beginning of the circuit the hot source is connected to the common terminal on sw1. Install a 3 wire cable from the first switch box to the light fixtures box. White or neutral wire taped with black electricians tape is used as black power wire to make connections throughout. Power through the lights to three way switches has two wire cable and ground between the light boxes and three wire cable and ground at the switches. The neutral is spliced to the white wire feeding the first fixture via cable c1where it is spliced to the neutral of both lights.
3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures. Leave 810 inches 203254 cm of wire inside each of the boxes before cutting the cable to facilitate easy splicing and connection to the switch and fixture. Option 2 is for power into the first switch. The hot source is connected to the common terminal of sw1. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire between the two boxes. Two 2 wire cables c3 and c4 run between the fixtures and a 3 wire cable c2 runs from the second fixture f2 to the second 3 way switch sw2.
Connect the ground wire to the green screw. Option 1 is for power into the first switch wire to the lights and lastly wire from the light to the other switch. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. White black and red plus a bare ground wire. And make sure all of your ground connections are completed and securely fastened. The 14 3 cable has three insulated conductors.
The existing 2 wire black and white romex can still be used to connect a 3 way switch 2 and the light fixture. Connect the wires to the new 3 way switches with ground screws using one of the two wiring diagrams fig. Finish your work and test.
Gallery of How To Wire A Three Way Switch With Two Lights
