This 3 way light switch diagram shows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit. At a glance 3 way switches look the same as the common single pole switch but instead of having only two screws on which to make your connections they have two connections on one side and one on the other.
Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end in this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
Diagram for 3 way switch.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. In the ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture. The black screw on a 3 way switch diagram is for the continuous hot wire that comes from the circuit panel or for the feed wire that runs up to the light fixture. Three way switches have become very popular because it adds convenience and ease to lighting in large rooms hallways and staircases.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. The black hot wire connects to the far right switch s common terminal. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. A 3 way switch wiring diagram is a simple drawing showing how to connect the wires to each of the four screws on the 3 way switch. Turn the power off at circuit breaker.
The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on. This 3 way light switch wiring diagram shows how to do the light switch wiring and the light when the power is coming to the light fixture. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light fixture. 3 way switch wiring diagram. Electricians call the continuous hot wire the line wire.
What is the black screw for on a 3 way switch diagram. At each switch in the above 3 way switch wiring diagram the black wire gets connected to the common copper or black screw. Three way switches allow for controlling a light fixture from two separate locations these are usually used at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs or at two different entrances to a room. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. Be sure to identify the electrical circuit correctly you ll be wiring into and turn off the breaker at your home s main electrical panel. 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the fixture.
The diagram below is based on the video you watched above. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. The white wire becomes the energized switch leg as indicated by using black or red electrical tape. Diagram 3 above shows the electricity source starting at the right 3 way. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches.
In this diagram power enters the fixture box. The black wire from the other 3 way gets connected to the line black wire. The line white neutral wire gets connected to the light fixture. 3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. Diagram 1 above shows the electricity source starting at the left 3 way switch. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Basic 3 way switch diagram how to wire 3 way light switch step by step.