Wiring diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit. A 3 wire cable runs between sw1 and sw2.
Multiway Switching Wikipedia
Different ways to wire a 3 way switch. It is but you need to use four conductor cable as seen below. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. A 3 wire cable runs from l1 to l2 and 2 wire cable runs from there to the first switch. Here is a rather different arrangement that requires 3 conductor cable between lights. Power through the lights to three way switches has two wire cable and ground between the light boxes and three wire cable and ground at the switches. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
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. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. Note that in this case a larger than normal device box is required at switch 1 location due to box fill calculations most regular size boxes will only accommodate five wires. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. This electrical wiring diagram shows power into light switch box 1 wire to light from switch box 1 and from switch box 1 to three way light switch box 2.
Here the source and the fixtures come before the switches. White or neutral wire taped with black electricians tape is used as black power wire to make connections throughout. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. Connect the black insulated wire to the shunt or common terminal screw of the switch once again the common screw terminal is the different colored screw from the rest of those on the switch. In this situation you. A three conductor cable with a ground is then installed between the two 3 way switch boxes.
Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram youre following youll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. Connect 3 wire cable in the second switch box to the 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. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. As with the other diagrams on this page more lights can be added by duplicating the wiring arrangement between the fixtures. Occasionally someone will ask if it is possible to wire a circuit that connects panel switch light light switch.
The common terminal of the second 3 way switch connects to the light fixture s. 3 way switch wiring diagram. Connect all ground wires as previously described if not already completed. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
Gallery of Different Ways To Wire A 3 Way Switch
