With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
How To Wire A 3 Way Light Switch Family Handyman
What is 3 way switch wiring. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. Wiring a 3 way switch is a little more tricky than wiring a 2 way switch. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box. Go to my switch terminology page where i discuss the terms used for the different types of home electrical switches. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Wiring a 3 way light switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. 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. Fixture between two three way switches.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
3 way switch wiring diagram. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Power through switch light is controlled by two three way switches with the light between the switches and the power first going through a switch then to the light and onto the second three way switch. 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. While wiring a 3 way switch is more involved than something simple like installing an electrical box for an electric fireplace the task can be simple enough if you follow along with these instructions. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire.
Traveler wires are interchangeable. Components of 3 way switch wiring. First of all we need to go over a little basic terminology on switches. It should also help in understanding the functions of each type of switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.
Gallery of What Is 3 Way Switch Wiring
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