How To Wire Up A Three Way Light Switch

To control the light bulb from more than 2 places use an intermediate or four way switch in between the three way switches.

How to wire up a three way light switch. This first step will eventually send power directly to the light fixture. This is the existing white neutral wire coming into the box and the new white neutral wire from the 3 wire romex you re going to use to connect the other 3 way switch you will install in a minute. A three way light switch is one where you have two switches that have the ability to control the same light or set of lights. Four way circuits are just a tad different than three way circuits mostly since the light switch that you add in has to be a four way switch rather than just another three way switch.

In this wiring the two brass or gold terminals are interconnected through travelers wires while the line terminal is connected to the hot wire from circuit breaker. It s likely you ll also need to replace the existing switch box with a larger one to accommodate the extra wires for the 3 way switch. Use a yellow wire nut and twist all four wires together. With a pair of 3 way switches either switch can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

Two common screws and two brass screws not counting the ground screw. Wiring a three way light switch. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. Connect the white or neutral wires together in the gang box.

Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. Currently you have a total of four white wires. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement. Wiring of 3 way light switches is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.

A four way switch has an extra common screw to bring the total number of screws up to four. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead.

Wire nut the neutral white wires together. To wire a 3 way light switch you ll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. There will be an additional wire needed often red to connect the switches together to a dedicated screw or input on the switch that is specifically marked for this purpose. Unscrew and remove the switch plate.

Therefore the 2 switches the light 3 way.