To use a three way switch as a single pole one connect the hot wires to the common terminal and the traveler on the same side of the switch body. You should have three remaining wires in each box.
Help With Three Way Switch Wiring Lighting Amp Load Control
How to wire a three wire switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. A three way light switch is one where you have two switches that have the ability to control the same light or set of lights. Two black and one red. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. 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.
In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. Strip all three wires with wire strippers. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. If you are having problems simply cut the wire. If the wires are stabbed into the back of the switch insert a small flat head into the slot above the wire to release. 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.
This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Connect the black wire from the power supply to all three of the black pigtails. Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. A loose or broken wire could explain why the switch doesnt work. How to wire a three way light switch. There is only one such terminal on a 3 way switch and it is usually identified as the one having a different color terminal screw often significantly darker from the other two.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Twist all four black wires together with a yellow wire nut. The 2 wire cable feed from the power source enters the bottom of the switch box and the hot black wire connects to the common or shunt terminal on the 3 way switch. There will be an additional wire needed often red to connect the switches together to a dedicated screw or input on the switch that. Take your three way switch. Remember the black wire that you wrapped around the traveler wires is the common.
The power supply wire is the wire that connects directly to the breaker panel. You dont need the other terminal on the three way switch so its fine to cover it over with electrical tape to ensure the terminals dont get mixed up. Therefore the 2 switches the light 3 way. You will see a black screw and two gold screws on the switch. Wrap the tape around the wire nut and onto the wires. When disconnecting the wires mark the wire on the black or dark colored screw as common.
Tape the wire nut to the wires with electrical tape.
