The white wire becomes the energized switch leg as indicated by using black or red electrical tape. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch.
Wire A 3 Way Switch
Electrical 3 way switch wiring diagram. The white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The 3 way circuit is a very common system found within most residential installations. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. The basic 3 way switch wiring diagram. Now discussing 3 way light switch wiring diagram as also discussed above the color codes of the wires as having three insulated conductors as black as hot red as switch wire or called traveler and white as common wire as also shown when light is connected to both black and white wires.
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. 3 way switch wiring with. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Three way switch wiring with light middle.
Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the fixture. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. 3 way switch wiring diagrams wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. The source in this circuit is at the first switch and the light fixture is.
Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. This wire diagram shows the wiring for source power into the first three way switch then 3 wire cable to the next 3 way light switch and then on to the light or light fixtures. This is the most common and the easiest wiring diagram to follow of any of the wiring diagrams for a 3 way switch circuit. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Wiring diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit.
Gallery of Electrical 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
