Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. All of the switches shown below are 3 way.
Wiring A 3 Way Switch
Different 3 way switch wiring. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. Conventional 3 way switch wiring configuration. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation then you will need to identify the function of each wire. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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. Such markings are not needed with this type of switch as they are.
Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. A third type is the four way switch which is used in conjunction with two three way switches to control lighting from more than two locations. There are three screw terminals on the body of the switch in addition to the green grounding. Any of the above can be modified to control multiple lights. Components of 3 way switch wiring. Additional lights are just.
Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one location. Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load. Below is a variation with the light between the two switches ie panel switch light switch. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. There are two clear giveaways that identify a switch as being a three way type.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The pair of travelers on one switch connect to the pair of travelers on the other switch. With conventional wiring the common wire from one switch connects to line the common wire from the other switch connects to the load lights. The white neutral wires are connected together in each switch box. 3 way switch circuits variations single light circuits. The common terminal of the second 3 way switch connects to the light fixtures.
3 way switch wiring diagram. Controlling more than one light. 3 way switches have three terminals one common usually black color and one pair of travelers usually brass color. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. When wiring a 3 way switch circuit we will be using a 3 wire cable known as romex coming from the source such as the breaker box. There are no onoff markings on the switch toggle.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Three way switches are always used in pairs and include special wiring connections. Diagrams shown on this page are simplified for clarity.
Gallery of Different 3 Way Switch Wiring
