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 switches. 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.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
Wire diagram for three way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
Gallery of Wire Diagram For Three Way Switch
