Three Way Electrical Switch Wiring

Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.

Three way electrical switch wiring.

Before proceeding make sure you are comfortable working with electrical wires and switches. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. 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. Diy electrical wiring a 3 way switch.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together.

Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable. 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. Building a new workshop that is detached from home.

Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement. 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. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.

In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Three way switch diagrams fully explained wiring 3way switches 3 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from two locations. It s likely you ll also need to replace the existing switch box with a larger one to accommodate the extra wires for the 3 way switch. Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring.

How would this be wired. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. This guide highlights the procedures for replacing a broken 3 way electrical switch. In the ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture.

I have a outside light by the door going out of the home that is controlled by a single pole switch.