Three Way Light Switch Circuit

Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

Three way light switch circuit. Another dead giveaway of a three way switch is the absence of on and off markings. Three wire cable runs between each switch and the light fixture. The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. For example they can be arranged so that the feed cable runs to the first three way switch then to the light fixture box then to the second three way switch.

With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The hot source wire is connected to the common terminal on sw1. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together.

This is known as the common screw and it s usually black instead of brass or silver. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out it s also one of the most useful. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire. Keep reading and learn how to wire a light switch.

Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram you re following you ll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. Three way switches can be wired in a number of different ways depending on where they are located relative to the light fixture in the circuit cable runs. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. On one of the 3 way switches a line or hot wire gets connected to the copper or black screw terminal.

Three way switch wiring with light middle the source in this circuit is at the first switch and the light fixture is located between sw1 and sw2. 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. A three way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room. 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.

The whole wiring a light switch project can be completed in a few hours if you don t have to do any drywall removal and repair.