Its a lot harder to figure out which wires go where when theyre covered with drywall after wiring a switch. Diagrams shown on this page are simplified for clarity.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
Wiring a three way switch with two wires. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Take your three way switch. Strip all three wires with wire strippers. 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. The following image shows a typical spdt toggle switch with its terminals. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components.
Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. Remember the black wire that you wrapped around the traveler wires is the common. A 3 way switch will not have the words on or off written on it. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. You should have three remaining wires in each box. Replace any regular switches with the 3 way switches.
Wrap three way switch travelers loosely and wrap the common wire tightly around them for easy identification later. For wiring i have selected the standard way with a 37v lithium ion battery as the power supply. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. 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. 3 way switch wiring diagram. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 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. Many electricians use a code for marking wires and so can you. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Traveler wire terminals these are located on each side of the switch towards the top of the switch.
The common terminal of the second 3 way switch connects to the light fixtures. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The white neutral wires are connected together in each switch box. You will see a black screw and two gold screws on the switch. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. Two black and one red.
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. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. The spdt toggle switch can be considered as a two way light switch as it has three terminals and works very similar to the two way light switch.
Gallery of Wiring A Three Way Switch With Two Wires
