Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. In this light switch wiring diagram the power feed joins the circuit via the light fixture where a two wire cable c2 runs from the light to the first 3 way switch sw1 and a 3 wire cable c3 joins the two switches.

Light Switch Diagram 3 Wires Wiring Diagram Images
3 way switch diagram power at switch. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. 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. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. This electrical wiring diagram shows power into light switch box 1 wire to light from switch box 1 and from switch box 1 to three way light switch box 2.
In this diagram the source for the circuit is at the light fixture and the two switches come after. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. 3 way switch wiring diagram. Fixture between two three way switches. Two wire cable runs from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between sw1 and sw2. 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.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. Wiring diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit. 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. 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. 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.
3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. In the ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 3 way switch wiring with light first.
Traveler wires are interchangeable. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.