Feed power wire thru either one of the boxes. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
How to wire three switches. This wire needs to go to the common screw. When the circuits power is turned on any of these may be hot depending upon how the switches are toggled. If you are changing an existing triple switch mark the wire going to the common screw. Run power wire into one of the boxes. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. With a three way switch three wires connect the pair of switchestwo black traveler wires and a third common wire.
Should be your two conductor. Cut five six inch lengths of 14 solid. Turn off the power to the circuit at the breaker panel. Make the cuts in the wall and ceiling for the switches and fixture. Run three conductor wire between both boxes. Feed a length of 14 3 type nm cable or 12 3 if youre connecting to 12 gauge wire between the two boxes.
You will run the three conductor wire from the box you just ran. The 14 3 cable has three insulated conductors. Strip 6 9 on one end to expose the three separate wires then run the first half into your first switch box. How to wire a three way switch step 1. Run a 3 wire nm cable between the first and second boxes. White black and red plus a bare ground wire.
Connect the ground wire to the green screw. The common terminal should be marked on the back of the old switch. Running the cable along the foot of the drywall is the easiest way to. You will need three black wire pigtails and five green wire pigtails. Cut the cable to length if there is extra once you pull through the second box. Repeat on the other end and run it into your second switch box.
Remove the baseboards along the path from the power source receptacle to each of the switches. Connect the wires to the new 3 way switches with ground screws using one of the two wiring diagrams fig. There is only the single 3 wire plus ground in the downstairs switch box and only two 2 wire plus ground cables at the fixture. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. How to wire 3 switches to control 1 light. Cut three six inch lengths of 14 solid thhn black.
When nothing is hooked up there is power in the 2 wire plus ground cable on the upstairs switch. The two switches appear to be connected by a 3 wire plus ground cable. How to wire three switches in a gang box.