Basic 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram

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.

Basic 3 way switch wiring diagram. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 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. 3 way switch wiring diagram. When replacing an existing 3 way switch note how the existing switch is wired before removing the wiring then wiring the new 3 way dimmer switch refer to your notes for assistance.

Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Turn the power off at circuit breaker. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Traveler wires are interchangeable.

3 way switch wiring electrical 101. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire.

To get started take a look at the first diagram below. 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. The diagram below will give you a good understanding of what this wiring consists of.

Learn to make a 3 way switch diagram by using these free and printable examples of three way switch diagram in the following images. 3 way switches electrical 101. By admin october 20 2017. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on. The basic 3 way switch wiring diagram this is the most common and the easiest wiring diagram to follow of any of the wiring diagrams for a 3 way switch circuit.

Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. This wire diagram shows the wiring for source power into the first three way switch then 3 wire cable to the next 3 way light switch and then on to the light or light fixtures. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.

Basic 3 way switch wiring diagram. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step. 3 way switch wiring electrical 101 switches diagram how to wire a light family handyman online unmasa dalha several methods mr electrician a3.

Many manufacturers are now making opaque switches that can be used for single pole or 3 way switches.