A 4 way switch has two positions. For choosing wire color for your circuit see later in this page.
Tutorial 3 Way Switches And 4 Way Switches
How to wire up a 3 way switch. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box. A non contact voltage tester. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Fixture between two three way switches. Wiring a 3 way light switch.
Controlling a light with three or more switches. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Heres how to wire a three way switch with easy tips from the family handyman. Traveler wires are interchangeable.
Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. 3 way light switch wiring diagram see below. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. 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. Wire cutters and strippers. 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.
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. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the 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. 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. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. For more than two switches one or more 4 way switches are added between the 3 way switches. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Gallery of How To Wire Up A 3 Way Switch
