Three Way Light Switch Circuit

With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.

Three way light switch circuit.

The whole wiring a light switch project can be completed in a few hours if you don t have to do any drywall removal and repair. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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.

On one of the 3 way switches a line or hot wire gets connected to the copper or black screw terminal. Three way switch wiring with light middle the source in this circuit is at the first switch and the light fixture is located between sw1 and sw2. Between each three way switch is a pair of travelers that are connected to the common terminals. Keep reading and learn how to wire a light switch.

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. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Three wire cable runs between each switch and the light fixture. A three way light switch is different than a traditional single pole light switch as it contains an extra screw to connect an extra wire.

Three way switches can be wired in a number of different ways depending on where they are located relative to the light fixture in the circuit cable runs. The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram you re following you ll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. The hot source wire is connected to the common terminal on sw1.

Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out it s also one of the most useful. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram.

A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. For example they can be arranged so that the feed cable runs to the first three way switch then to the light fixture box then to the second three way switch. This is known as the common screw and it s usually black instead of brass or silver. Another dead giveaway of a three way switch is the absence of on and off markings.

Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.