Components of 3 way switch wiring. Fixture between two three way switches.
3 Way Switch Installation Circuit Style 3
How is a 3 way switch wiring. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Traveler wires are interchangeable. 3 way switch wiring diagram. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. 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. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 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. Wiring a 3 way light switch. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box.
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. 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. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. 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.
In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. 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. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. 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. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. 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.
Gallery of How Is A 3 Way Switch Wiring
