This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Option 2 is for power into the first switch but then wires run separately from the first switch to the light and from the first switch to the second switch.
Understanding Single Pole And 3 Way Switches
3 way switch light between switches. Two 2 wire cables c3 and c4 run between the fixtures and a 3 wire cable c2 runs from the second fixture f2 to the second 3 way switch sw2. Shown below are two fixtures between 3 way switches. 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. Three cable wire runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs from the second dimmer to the light. The common on the first dimmer connects to the hot source wire and the common on the second connects to the wire running to the hot terminal on the light. The three way switch comes with three terminal screws and one ground wire screw.
The source neutral is run through to the light fixture with a splice in each switch box. 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. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. A light or lights can be controlled by more than one switch. Slide your mouse over it to see it change state requires javascript enabled. The usual practice in home construction is to use 3 way switches.
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. The power source is via the switch box sb1 and a 3 wire cable c1 runs from there to the first fixture f1. Option 1 is for power into the first switch then wire to the light and lastly wired from the light to the other switch. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. 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. 3 way is the electricians designation for a single pole double throw spdt switch.
A 3 way switch is shown below. 3 way switch light between switches below ive shown two variations of wiring a light between 3 way switches. 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. The remaining two terminals are called as interchangeable and travelers. Theres a dark colored terminal named com in 3 way switches. In total it has 4 terminal screws.
Gallery of 3 Way Switch Light Between Switches
