Wire For 3 Way Switch - Electrical Wiring Work

Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

Adding A Three Way Switch Jlc Online

Wire for 3 way switch. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step. A 3 way switch will not have the words on or off written on it. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Traveler wire terminals these are located on each side of the switch towards the top of the switch. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. This is the same arrangement as the second diagram on this page with a fan in place of the light fixture.

Turn the power off at circuit breaker. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Replace any regular switches with the 3 way switches. Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load. When wiring a 3 way switch circuit we will be using a 3 wire cable known as romex coming from the source such as the breaker box. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one locationa third type is the four way switch which is used in conjunction with two three way switches to control lighting from more than two locationsthis configuration may be used in open plan homes or in large kitchens or great rooms where a central bank of lighting fixtures might. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw.

Here a ceiling fan with a light kit is controlled with two 3 way switches. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Ceiling fan 3 way switch wiring. In this wiring the source is at sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between each switch and the ceiling fan. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. With nm cable the wire colors for travelers will be black and red using 3 wire cablewith conduit the wire colors for travelers could be any color.

3 way switch wire colorsthere is no standard for wire colors on 3 way switch travelersthe colors will vary depending on whether nm cable or conduit was used. 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. 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. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn.

Gallery of Wire For 3 Way Switch