The wiring process of the 3-way switch looks difficult process but do not worry here we will explain each step that helps to make easy 3-way switch wiring. Here we will learn the basics of a 3-way switch and make practical wiring of a 3-way switch. So let’s get started 3 way switch wiring diagramÂ
What is a Three-Way Switch?
The single pole switch is used for controlling light at one point and the 3-way switch is used for controlling light at two different points.
Single pole switch comes with 3 screws and 3 way switch has 4 screws. It is for traveler wire that is used for wiring of 3-way switches.
Like a single pole switch 3 WAY switch is not mentioned with an ON or OFF label. The three-way switch is used for controlling the ceiling light. You can on the light from the switch connected at the main floor move the ladder to the loft and off the light on the second switch.
Parts of a 3-Way Switch
4 main parts of 3 way switch are listed here
Grounding screw:
- Green screw connected with ground wire. Grounding screws on switches are not always used, during the replacement of older switches we can find others is not have grounding screws.
Traveler screws
- Two low-weight brass-colored screws are known as traveler screws. The traveler wires connected to screws make two different paths for delivering power from one switch to another
Common terminal screw:
- There is common terminals screw. It is black color travelers, normally dark brass, copper, or black colors. It works to accept incoming black wire from the power supply or it makes the connection of black wire that moves to the light fixture.
Step-by-Step 3-Way Switch Wiring Guide
Tools for WIring
- Three-way switch
- 14-3 or 12-3 cable
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire nuts
- Electrical tape
- Screwdriver
- Wire stripper
- Voltage probe or Voltmeter
Follow these steps for 3-way switch wiring
Power Off
- First of all the power for save working on the circuit. For this purpose circuit breaker can also be off for controlling circuit or another option is to off the main power control switch
Disconnect old switch
- In this step remove the older switch or faulty one. For this purpose remove the cover plate, then remove the switch with the use of a screw in the electrical box.
 wires Identification
- After removing the old switch, identify the wires. For this purpose, check wires red, black, and white. Black is hot wire, red is traveler, and white is neutral
Connect new switch
- When you identify the fire connect the new switch to these wires. Make a connection of the black wire with the black screw of the switch. White wire with silver screw of the switch. Red wire with brass screw of switch. For wiring 3 way switch 14/2 cable and 14/3 cable are used
- Romex cables are mostly used for 3-way switch wiring. It has 3 wires, black for hot, white as neutral, and red for traveler wire.
Mount the new switch
- After wiring the connection mount the switch in the electrical box. Ensure that the switch is strongly connected to the box and that the cover plate is accurately connected. After that test switch to confirm that it is working well
3-Way Switch Wiring Diagram Power to Light Switch
In this wiring process power supply is connected to the light switch
- The incoming live wire connected with a common dark-colored pin of the first switch.
- The 2 live wires of 3 wire cable connected with pair of brass colored travelers point of both switch
- The live or hot wire of light fixture is connected with a common pin of 2nd switch.
Single Pole vs 3-Way, vs 4-Way Light Switches
- The basic difference between 3-way, single pole, and 4-way switches is their working features and wirings.
- The single pole switch control a single fixture at one point and it is the basic type of switch that has one ground screw and two live screws.
- The 3-way switches are used for controlling single fixtures from 2 different points and come with one ground screw and one black common screw., and 2 brass travelers screws.
- The 4 way switch is used for controlling light from 3 or more locations with 2 three ways switches.
3-Way Switch Wiring Diagram, NM Cable
The basic type of 3-way electrical wiring is where the power source wire moves from one switch to 2nd switch and then connected with terminals. In this wiring, both switches are configured with fixtures.
3-Way Switch Wiring Diagram Light Fixture Between Switches
In this wiring, supply goes to the switch then moves towards the fixture and ends at the switch. Here fixture is connected with switches with 3 wire cables. here you can see a practical diagram
3-Way Switch Wiring Diagram Line to Light Fixture
In this wiring process power supply first connected to the fixture then one switch and at end at another switch.
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What is the correct way to wire a three-way switch?
- Make the connection of bare copper wire with green ground screw on the light fixture.
- Splice white neutral from able to white neutral on the light fixture.
- Connect the white neutral of the cable to the white neutral on the light.
- Black wire of the cable to black wire of the light fixture
- Connect the light fixture to the box.
What happens if you wire a 3-way switch wrong?
- If the 3-way switch is not correctly wired will result in many hazards. The common issue is that switches do not work accurately. Maybe both switches do not work well or one. Anotehr problem is that one switch causes short circuits and breaker tripping.
Which wire goes to the black screw on a 3-way switch?
- Make the connection of black hot wire with common screw terminals so it moves toward the light fixture. Connect white neutral wires. Make the connection of the grounding wire with the pigtail wire, which is connected to the switch and box.
Which wire goes to black on 3-way switch?
- For 3-way switch black wire is hot wire white is neutral wire green wire is ground wire and red is traveler wire.
Can you wire a 3-way switch with two wires?
- The conventional three-way switch wiring needed 3 wires, that are traveler, wire, a hot wire, and a neutral wire. Without these wires standard 3-way switch not work well.
What equipment is needed to wire a three way switch?
- The basic tools used for 3 way switch wiring are
- Two 3-way switches.
- Wire strippers.
- Wire nuts.
- Screwdriver.
- 14-3 electrical wire.
- Electrical tape.
- Voltage tester.
How do you wire a 3 way switch to a single switch?
- The 3-way switch can wire like a single pole switch through knowing which screw terminals work with each other. Use dark color screw with one light-colored screw. After finding 2 screws use the switch in up conditions for the ON state and make the connection of hot wire with 2 screw terminals.
How to Locate a Bad 3-Way Switch.
- When the 3-way switch not working, light will be toggled on or off at one switch and not for the other. If one out of 2 three-way switches toggle the light ON and off it means other 3-way switch is failed.
Which wire is common in a three way switch?
- The wiring used for 3 way switch is red, black, and white. If white is used as neutral, switching wires will be red and black. The white is used as common, colored wires are used as hot wires.
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