Three Way Light Switch Wiring Diagram

3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box.

Three way light switch wiring diagram. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw.

The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch in this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switch s common dark colored terminal. Be sure to identify the electrical circuit correctly you ll be wiring into and turn off the. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.

A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 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. This 3 way light switch diagram shows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit. Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption.

The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end in this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. 3 way switch wiring diagram with power feed via light. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step.

A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. 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. Turn the power off at circuit breaker. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple open closed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative.

Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. The ground wire goes through both switch boxes and the ceiling light box and it is connected at all junctions except the light with a pigtail short piece of wire and wire connector. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Two three way switches control one light with the electric power coming through the first switch flowing to the second switch and then to the light fixture.

Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.