Take your three way switch. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire.
Multiple Switch Wiring 3 Way And Single Pole Electrical 101
Wiring a three wire switch. Heres a wiring method that eliminates extra connections and creates a neater installation. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. Instead of running a separate pigtail from the hot wire to each switch just leave the hot wire extra long. You will see a black screw and two gold screws on the switch. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal.
Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch.
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. A box with three switches is crowded enough without adding extra wire connectors and pigtails. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. This is an updated version of the first arrangement. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Strip all three wires with wire strippers. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 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. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch. Remember the black wire that you wrapped around the traveler wires is the common. You should have three remaining wires in each box.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Components of 3 way switch wiring. Two black and one red.
Gallery of Wiring A Three Wire Switch
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