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. 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.
How To Wire A 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Dengarden
How to install three way switch diagram. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. The goal is to place two switches at separate locations which control the exact same device. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative. 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. Run new cable romex between the 3 way switches. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
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. Refer to the above 3 way switch diagram. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 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. 3 way switch wiring diagram.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. Snap off the plaster ears and install the switch. Once your boxes are in place you can start the process of installing and wiring the switches themselves.
Of insulation from the end of each wire then connect the wires following figure b and photo 5. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. Clamp the second electrical box to the wall and wire a three way switch following figure b.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out its also one of the most useful.
Gallery of How To Install Three Way Switch Diagram
