3 way switches explained how to wire 3 way light switch duration. Craig michaud electrical instructor 17606 views.
Wiring A 3 Way Switch
How to wire a 3 way electrical switch. This guide highlights the procedures for replacing a broken 3 way electrical switch. In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations. Wire cutters and strippers. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. The engineering mindset 480796 views.
3 way light switch wiring diagram see below. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement. A non contact voltage tester. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. A 3 way wall switch controls a common light or set of lights from two separate switch locations.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire between the two boxes. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Two 3 way switches are required in any 3 way application. Its likely youll also need to replace the existing switch box with a larger one to accommodate the extra wires for the 3 way switch. 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.
The white wire becomes the. Before proceeding make sure you are comfortable working with electrical wires and switches. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable. The purpose of a three way electrical switch knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the fixture.
Diagram 1 above shows the electricity source starting at the left 3 way switch. Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire electrical boxes of appropriate size to hold 3 way switch and wire. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut. A three way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room.
Gallery of How To Wire A 3 Way Electrical Switch
