A three way lamp has a four position rotary switch that when combined with specially designed light bulbs can switch between lighting the bulb at relatively dim moderate and bright levels. A 3 way switch is shown below.
Are All Of These Wirings Code Acceptable For 3 Way Switching
What is a 3 way switch lamp. A three way light switch is different than a traditional single pole light switch as it contains an extra screw to connect an extra wire. The usual practice in home construction is to use 3 way switches. In total it has 4 terminal screws. A light or lights can be controlled by more than one switch. Add an electrical box for the second three way switch in the basement. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel.
Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire between the two. This configuration may be used in open plan homes or in large kitchens or great rooms where a central bank of lighting fixtures might be controlled from more than two entry points. Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way switches at each end so that lights can be turned on when approaching one end of the hall or stairway then shut off from the other end.
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. The three way switch comes with three terminal screws and one ground wire screw. The next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. A 3 way lamp also known as a tri light is a lamp that uses a 3 way light bulb to produce three levels of light in a low medium high configuration. For instance if your lamp has a pull chain but you want to install a 3 way turn knob all you have to do is buy a 3 way turn switch and a light bulb with 2 brightness levels. Slide your mouse over it to see it change state requires javascript enabled.
This is known as the common screw and its usually black instead of brass or silver. Unlike an incandescent lamp controlled by a dimmer each of the filaments operates at full voltage so the color of the light does not change between the three steps of light. Its likely youll also need to replace the. The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one location. Another dead giveaway of a three way switch is the absence of on and off markings. The remaining two terminals are called as interchangeable and travelers.
Theres a dark colored terminal named com in 3 way switches. 3 way is the electricians designation for a single pole double throw spdt switch. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel. Your new switch can be whatever type you prefer regardless of the existing switch. Its likely youll also need to replace the. Purchase a new socket switch from a hardware store.
A 3 way lamp requires a 3 way bulb and socket and a 3 way switch.
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