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