In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations. Two three way switches.
How To Install A 3 Way Switch Family Handyman
What color wire is common in a three way 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. Attach the other two wires the travelers to the other two terminals of the switch. Two of the terminals are a light colorbronze or copper coloredand are called travelers. As with single pole switches neutral wires do not connect to three way switches. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Turn main power off if possible for safety.
For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Replace any regular switches with the 3 way switches. A 3 way switch will not have the words on or off written on it. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types.
Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. The single dark colored screw is known as the common terminal. 6 3 wire amperage. 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. Make sure power is off. 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.
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. A 3 way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Wiring a 3 way switch i will show you how to wire a 3 way switch circuit and teach you how the circuit works. Traveler wires are interchangeable. The dark colored terminal is the common terminal and brings power from the source to the light fixture.
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. Mercruiser 57 alternator wiring diagram. Most switches have the common marked. A three way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. 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.
This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. How to identify common wire in 3 way switch. When replacing a three way switch the wire connected to the common terminal on the old switch must be connected to the common terminal on the new switch.