Three Way Light Wiring

Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.

Three way light wiring.

Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. As it is three way switching wiring connection we have used two switches one is ordinary 3 way switch and the second one is 3 way pilot light switch. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxes no longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes. As the purpose of this 3 way switching wiring is that to control the light bulb from two different places same like the three way switching in staircase wiring while using pilot light switch. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. To wire a 3 way light switch you ll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires.

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. 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. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.