Wiring a 3 way light switch 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.
3 way switch light between switches.
These switches use only 2 types of wires.
3 way switch light between switches below i ve shown two variations of wiring a light between 3 way switches.
3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switches.
Option 1 is for power into the first switch then wire to the light and lastly wired from the light to the other switch.
These switches have hot wires.
For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way.
Single light between 3 way switches power via switch power enters the circuit at switch box sb1 and the hot connects to the common terminal of the 3 way switch sw1 and the neutral is spliced through to the neutral terminal of the light.
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Option 2 is for power into the first switch but then wires run separately from the first switch to the light.
These switches have 3 terminals.
Do not have an on off switch.
Wiring a 3 way light switch.
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.
Line voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxes.
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.
These switches use 3 types of wires.
These switches don t have hot wires.
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First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
These have on off switches.
These switches actually have 4 terminals.
In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations.
Installing 2 way switches are easy.
3 way switch diagram multiple light between switches 2 pdf 79kb back to wiring diagrams home.