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. Connect the black wire from the power supply to all three of the black pigtails.
Two 3 Way Switches One Acting As A Master Switch
Three wire switch diagram. The power supply wire is the wire that connects directly to the breaker panel. In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Twist all four black wires together with a yellow wire nut. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. 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 switches. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box.
Tape the wire nut to the wires with electrical tape. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of. In this updated diagram 3 wire cable runs between the receptacle and switch and the red cable wire is used to carry the hot source to the switch.
For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. Most common is the single pole switch the type used to control a light fixture from a single locationthe next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch. The neutral from the source is spliced through to the switch box using the white wire and in this diagram the white wire is capped with a wire nut.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Wrap the tape around the wire nut and onto the wires.
Gallery of Three Wire Switch Diagram
