3 Way Electrical Switch Wiring

While wiring a 3 way switch is more involved than something simple like installing an electrical box for an electric fireplace the task can be simple enough if you follow along with these instructions.

3 way electrical switch wiring.

Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your 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. This terminal is usually identified by a darker colored screw. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switch s common dark colored terminal. 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. 3 way light switch wiring diagram poower source feed via light.

The key to wiring 3 way switches the power feed and the switch leg leading to the fixture s typically one at each switch location are attached to the screw terminal found at one end of the switch by itself. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. A three conductor cable with a ground is then installed between the two 3 way switch boxes. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch.

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. I think that the most common method used to wire a set of 3 way switches is to bring the two wire line cable into one switch box and bring the two wire load cable into the other switch box. First you have to turn off the correct electrical panel circuit by adding this electrical box for the three way switch in that place or called basement.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. You have also to make space for the three way switch because of many wires then single switch.