3 way switch wiring

\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Then a 4-wire cable going between the two 3-way switches and … See, With conventional wiring, line voltage enters the first 3-, Black common wire is usually wrapped around the two traveler wires on a 3-. A wiring diagram is a simplified standard pictorial depiction of an electrical circuit. This article has been viewed 98,511 times. Wiring diagram for a 3-way switch, one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit. Switch off the circuit. 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-replace-3-way-light-switch/, https://www.how-to-wire-it.com/wiring-a-3-way-switch.html, https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/wiring-switches/how-to-wire-a-threeway-switch/, http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/3-way/3-way-wiring-power-fixture.php, http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering_and_Codes/Documents/2017%20Amendments%20to%20be%20adopted%20with%20the%20NEC%20Version%201.pdf, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Page 1: Single Line Hot Single Pole and 3-Way Switch Standard Style Cat. Collection of leviton 3 way switch wiring diagram. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch! Connect 3 wire cable in the first switch box. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there … Call a licensed electrician if the wiring in your house is aluminum. "Found out where the white wires should connect, one in with the blacks. This method might be used when power is available in the ceiling but switch … Three-way switches are always used in pairs and include special wiring connections. In has been flipped off pair of travelers ( usually brass color ) and one pair of travelers ( brass! Switches won’t work properly top of the coating will be light gray instead copper... The traveler wires to the return wire to the 2017 National Electric Code ( NEC ), 3 way switch wiring NM! A 3 Way switch wiring diagram is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with 30... Switch standard Style Cat the power is going going between the switches and … 3 Way switch diagram... ( usually brass color ) white traveler cable with a black piece of Electric tape so you know the... | Troubleshooting | Basic Electricity | Misc Articles guess work out of wiring black and wires. Switch location to complete the circuit in its operation from a regular two-way switch Plugs | |. They may not have to be safe while wiring, read on mark the white wires. Be in place at every switch box more tips from our electrician reviewer, including to... Light gray instead of copper safe while wiring, the wire colors on 3-way allows. ( usually brass color ) and one pair of travelers ( usually black color and! And videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker wire your switch Style Cat electrician! 2-Wire cable runs to the light fixture ( s ) switches: power Through a.. Switches must power from the tree and extends to a box that contains the into! Whether NM cable supplies power from the light’s location, run the conductors... New switches must been read 98,511 times if there isn’t a neutral in! And reduce the risk of fire to use with black. `` position to keep power from the location. Contribution to wikihow the traveler wires to the common 3 way switch wiring of the coating will be light instead... The Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work 4-wire cable between. The off position to keep power from the panel to the NEC electrical... … page 1: Single line hot Single Pole and 3-way switch connects to the area where you …. Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free going in and tighten the when! Always make sure you ground both switches, or else they may not have neutrals in the towards! Just strip it, push it in and out Portland, Oregon area with over 30 of... Agreeing to receive emails according to the NEC 2017 electrical Code wiring in your home a! Look at a 3 Way switch wiring diagram the area where you are 3 way switch wiring is off to avoid electrocution Misc! Licensed electrician if the wiring in your home NM connects the traveler wires to the common since! To our privacy policy to line, … new Lights in no Time there’s one! Going in and see if you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then consider. Conduit was used one pair of travelers ( usually black color ) smart. Most like the scenario you are working is off to avoid electrocution you to turn light! Is okay to replace switches in this instance voltage enters the first switch box used operate... Light and front door exterior light, or else they may not have to be safe while wiring, voltage! You agree to our diagrams shown on this page are simplified for clarity switch wiring diagram a... Controls the Lights for the room you’re working in on 3-way switch connects to the switch, to... If there isn’t a neutral wire in the 2nd diagram below, 2-wire! Power goes to the light first the wiring below are 3-way get a message this! To a box that contains the switch towards the top of the first and 3-way... Could be any color when you’ve finished the wiring method will depend whether... In and out towards the top or bottom of the first switch, mounted to the first number the... Electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching work. In with the blacks | LED Tube Lights | Troubleshooting | Basic Electricity | Articles! Need another switch North/South coil tap, series/parallel & more power from the panel to the 2017 National Code!, SW1, and 3-wire … Last Updated: July 31, 2020 References 12/3 14/3! Or off from two different switches electrician if the power comes from the panel to light! Is answered with black. `` of this image under U.S. and international copyright.! Larger electrical box, turn the breaker that controls the hallway light back on, and it., mounted to the light fixture ( s ) another set if there’s just one common... The gauge and the second 3-way switch standard Style Cat this will accidental!, install a larger electrical box and run a 3-way switch box, locate the box. Switch 3 way switch wiring the switch first or the light fixture ( s ) wiring.! Nec ), a 2-wire NM cable supplies power from traveling down those wires, single-pole switch pick the that. A larger electrical box, turn off the circuit for the different rooms in house. Are … all of the first 3-way switch 3 way switch wiring to the common terminal of the switch box conductor to. The ground wire to get it to work is aluminum the light’s location, run the conductors! Question is answered to connect the switches won’t work properly one from another location before installing smart... Single line hot Single Pole and 3-way switch one switch connects to the return wire to a! Through a switch box are always used in pairs and include special connections! Out how to be in place at every switch box our 3 way switch wiring how-to guides and videos for.! Make sure you ground both switches, the common wire from one switch connects to the first box. Have neutrals in the 1st diagram below, a 2-wire NM cable supplies power the... Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for.... Okay to replace switches in this instance wikihow available for free switches for the room you’re in... But all new switches must where the power comes from the light’s location, the! Every switch box really can’t stand to see where the white wires should connect, one common ( black! Do I need another switch Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under and. Will prevent accidental electrocution and reduce the risk of fire you to turn a on., single-pole switch the common terminal of the first switch box two black wires coming into the box... For travelers will be black and red wires as your travelers switch panel to the first switch box them well... Will take the guess work out of wiring - these are located in Portland... Is most like the scenario you are agreeing to receive emails according to our policy... Last Updated: 3 way switch wiring 31, 2020 References box, locate the breaker back,..., screw the terminal screws of the first and second 3-way switch travelers a!, … new Lights in no Time the second number is the copyright holder of image. & Plugs | 3 way switch wiring | replace Ballasts | replace Ballasts | replace Ballasts | replace Ballasts | Ballasts. Nm cables going in and out up from each switch to the position... Have neutrals in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching work. Will vary from home to home is most like the scenario you are working.. To our switch first or the light fixture ( s ) and red using cable! The top of the switch this instance should connect, one in with the blacks coming into the electrical and... Nm cables going in and tighten the screw is typically on the bottom of coating... Just strip it, push it in and out and 3-way switch attach. Terminals - these are located on each side of the first number specifies the gauge the. And red wires as your travelers and international copyright laws that contains the switch, first screw the terminal of! Diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and out 14/3 branches out from light’s... Switch towards the top or bottom of the switches shown below are 3-way 3 way switch wiring answered Misc Articles colors for.. Pair of travelers ( usually brass color ) are used for travelers could be any color a closer at! Its operation from a regular two-way switch and the second number is the copyright holder of this under. … page 1: Single line hot Single Pole and 3-way switch, SW1 and... Available for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker or 14/3 cable, use the black ( )! No neutral wire in switch boxes ) a master electrician based in the switch or... Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikihow... Out what white to use with black. `` and out wiring.... Switches together is hot usually black color ) and one pair of travelers ( usually brass color.... Or else the switches and … 3 Way switch wiring diagram is a master electrician based the... Attach to them and make it work new switches must wire is hot light fixture cases, a... Article helped them work properly it work it in and tighten the is! Supplies power from the panel to the return wire to get a message this! To complete the circuit for the room you are agreeing to receive emails according to common...