In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Wiring a 3 way light switch.
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How to hook up a three way light switch diagram. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Two three way switches control one light with the electric power coming through the first switch flowing to the second switch and then to the light fixture. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. In this basic 4 way light circuit 3 wire cable runs between all the switches and 2 wire cable runs from the last switch to the light. Add up the wattage of the bulbs in all the fixtures the switch controls to make sure it falls within the switch rating listed on the package or instructions.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Heres how to wire a three way switch with easy tips from the family handyman. Traveler wires are interchangeable. Wiring a 4 way switch with light at the end. Basically you need all three items light 3 way switch 1 and 3 way switch 2 to connect together. 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.
While a normal switch has two terminals the on and the off positions the three way switch has three obviously which is the two normal on and off terminals plus a third for connecting to the other switch or the device. The ground wire goes through both switch boxes and the ceiling light box and it is connected at all junctions except the light with a pigtail short piece of wire and wire connector. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.
Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out its also one of the most useful. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. Buy a single pole switch if one switch controls the lights or a three way if you have two switches controlling the same lights. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
Gallery of How To Hook Up A Three Way Light Switch Diagram
