With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Electrical 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf.
It shows the parts of the circuit as simplified forms and also the power and signal links in between the tools.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
Unfortunately not all 3 way switches are wired the conventional way.
3 way switch schematic wiring diagram.
The travelers actually pass the electricity between the two 3 way switches as well as the 4 way switches shown in the 4 way switching wiring diagrams.
In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
Wiring a 3 way light switch.
Two very old three way switches are depicted in the photo above.
This is only a wiring schematic and not the actual wiring method used for 3 way switch installations.
See alternate 3 way switch wiring configuration for another way 3 way switches may be wired.
I did not include grounding conductors on the 4 way switch wiring diagrams in order to keep them simple.
To illustrate the wiring of these 3 way switches switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application.
Two cubic inches are required by the national electrical code for each 14 wire.
Below is a simple 3 way schematic that can be applied to all three way electrical light switch connections.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Assortment of 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf.
If you have any problems with these switches it may be best to call an electrician.
The diagrams below show the conventional wiring for 3 way switches.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
4 way switch wiring need two 3 way switches one at each end and then as many 4 way switches as you want in between.
2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together.
Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.
Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
See tables 314 16 a b.
I have a diagram for this light switch wiring method on my 3 way switch page.
Two very old three way switches.
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.
Traveler wires are interchangeable.