I think that the most common method used to wire a set of 3 way switches is to bring the two wire line cable into one switch box and bring the two wire load cable into the other switch box. Note that in this case a larger than normal device box is required at switch 1 location due to box fill calculations most regular size boxes will only accommodate five wires.
Wiring A 2 Way Switch
Different ways to wire a 3 way switch. A 3 wire cable runs from l1 to l2 and 2 wire cable runs from there to the first switch. Wiring diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. White or neutral wire taped with black electricians tape is used as black power wire to make connections throughout. Connect 3 wire cable in the second switch box to the switch.
The common terminal of the second 3 way switch connects to the light fixture s. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Here the source and the fixtures come before the switches. Connect the black insulated wire to the shunt or common terminal screw of the switch once again the common screw terminal is the different colored screw from the rest of those on the switch. This electrical wiring diagram shows power into light switch box 1 wire to light from switch box 1 and from switch box 1 to three way light switch box 2.
3 way switch wiring diagram. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Power through the lights to three way switches has two wire cable and ground between the light boxes and three wire cable and ground at the switches. A three conductor cable with a ground is then installed between the two 3 way switch boxes. As with the other diagrams on this page more lights can be added by duplicating the wiring arrangement between the fixtures. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal.
In this situation you. Occasionally someone will ask if it is possible to wire a circuit that connects panel switch light light switch. 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. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram youre following youll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches.
A 3 wire cable runs between sw1 and sw2. It is but you need to use four conductor cable as seen below. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Connect all ground wires as previously described if not already completed. Here is a rather different arrangement that requires 3 conductor cable between lights. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch.
Gallery of Different Ways To Wire A 3 Way Switch
