The 3-way switch is used for controlling 2 light switches at different points. It is a helpful feature at home for turning the lights on and off. If there is a long hallway, it comes with switches on every side for turning the hall light on or off. Normally, a 3-way switch is used in stairs for controlling lights on any side. The three-way switch is the best option but can cause some faults that need to be solved. Here we will discuss troubleshooting techniques for 3-way switches. So let’s get started with how to troubleshoot three-way switches.
What is a three-way switch?
- The 3-way switch is an electrical component that is used for operating a light source at two different points in a home or any building.
- This switch is called a three-way switch since it comes with 3 terminals in a single casing. The terminals are commonly used as neutral wires, and the two traveler terminals are black and red wires.
- Traveler terminals provide a different path for current flow in switches that helps to control lights on or off.
- The main uses of three-way switches are hallways, stairways, large cabins, and outdoor lighting.
How Three-Way Switches Work
- The three-way switches work with the use of traveler wires and common wires. The main components of 3-way switches are
Common terminal:Â
- It is a dark-colored screw that is connected to a power supply or light source.
Traveler terminals:Â
- They are brass-colored screws and make the connection of traveler wires connected to 2 switches.
Traveler wires:Â
- These wires are used for carrying current between two switches and help to control light.
When we are on the 3-way switch, it varies the current path through traveler wires and turns the light on or off. In this way we can control light at two different points.
3-Way Switch Diagram
- Here we have made a three-way switch wiring diagram. In this wiring, power supply is provided to the first switch through two conductors through a bare or green ground conductor.
- Line wire connected with the common terminal of the 3-way switch. The 3 wires are moving from one switch box to another switch box. From the 2nd switch box, 2 conductor load wires are moving to light source.
- The black load wire is connected to the common terminal switch, and 2 white neutral wires are connected with each other.
3-Way System Wire Color
Different wire colors are used for wiring three-way switches, such as.
- The live point of hot wire is red or black.
- Traveler pairs are black + white or black + red.
- The hot wire of common terminals is to the hot end switch, which is black/red/white.
- black/red. wire used for leg wire of common point of LED end switch.
- The neutral wire is white and bare or green-colored wire.
3-Way Switch Variations
There are different wiring variations used for 3-way switches.
Read also: 3-Way Switch Wiring Variation, Circuit, Features, Application
- In a normal three-way switch, the live wire comes at one switch box. The live wire is connected with another switch or common switch. The travelers between switches provide leg. The leg is taken from a closed electrical switch or light.
- Another combination is that the three-way switch traveler put in the light box. Where travelers switch from one end to another end through the light box.
Common Three-Way Switch Problems
Wiring Errors
- The very common issue for a three-way switch is a wrong wiring connection. That ours, when switched, are not put in an accurate way, and the electrician does not have proper experience. In this error, the common wire and traveler wire are swapped, which causes problems. It affects the complete light circuit.
Faulty Switches
- With time, the switch is faulty or damaged. The basic signs of a bad switch are light flickering, the switch is loose, and it is not working instantly. Replace this type of switch for it to work well.
Loose Connections
- Loose wire connection is also an issue for malfunction of three-way switch. that occurs if there is no proper wire connection or it becomes loose with time.
Compatibility
- If you use the wrong switch according to your demand, that is due to using different switches. So replace the switch with the right one for solving this issue.
Troubleshooting 3-Way Switches
Troubleshooting a 3-way switch is somewhat difficult work for a new person, and there is a need for some basic knowledge for troubleshooting, or one can get the services of electricians.
How to Fix Improper Wiring on a 3-Way Switch
- The common error for a 3-way switch is improper wiring. In which wrong wiring connection did that stop switch from working well?
- For solving this error, first of all, turn off the power supply from the main circuit breaker and then make sure that there is no current to the switch with the use of a non-contact voltage tester.
- Then remove the cover plate and check the insulation of the wiring.
- For each switch comes with 3 insulated wires and one noninsulated grounding wire. If there are new types of wires like Remox or NM, remove both 2-way switches and make sure that no bare copper is connecting the wire nut.
- At first switch there is one wire that is providing power from the panel to the 3-way switch. In the 2-second, three-way switch locations, there is one wire that is moving from the three-way switch to the light fixture.
- The other two wires connected with switches are travelers. Two wires from the first switch point to the 2nd switch point
How to Correctly Find Each Wire on a 3-Way Switch
- For this purpose, first of all, use a non-contact voltage tester to find the live wire through the breaker for some time and check the voltage; detect the live wire and mention it as the live wire.
- Then off breaker use matter to check two traveler wires. The point here is that Live Wire mentions two unable wires and a wire nut.
- Move to the 2nd switch and change the setting of the multimeter to resistance mode. The multimeter will show 0L, which means open loop.
- Connect leads, and then the meter reading will be 0.00, which means no resistance.
- After that, remove 3 wire nuts from the wire at the 2nd way switch and find two wires that move the meter from 0L to 0.00.
- Twist these two wires to find the travelers.
- In the first box, remove two wires twisted in the same wire nut, and ensure there is no copper connecting between wires.
- In the 2nd box, if there is matter, reading is 0L on 2 twisted wires. It shows that means these are travelers. Another will be switched leg
Reconnect the Wires in the 3-Way Switch
- For reconnection of wires with three-way switches, find the screw on the back side of the switch that is different than the other two screws. The black or common screw has a live or hot wire at the first box and a switch leg wire at the 2nd box.
- The two traveler wires are each on one silver screw of every box. Make sure that you strongly fasten the screw in wire.
- Connect the switch and cover plates, on the breaker, and check rewired three-way switches.
How to Locate a Bad 3-
When the three-way switch is not working, the lights will be controlled with one switch, and the other will not work. If either of the two three-way switches toggles the light on or off, the other three-way switch will be damaged. For this, follow these points to find the bad switch.
- Press every switch until the lights go on. If the light gets on, toggle any switch to check that it is controlling the lights on or off. If doing, it means it is a good switch.
- Then toggle the other switch to check if the hat lights get on or off. It’s not that it means it is based on a switch.
How to Repair a Three-Way Switch
- For this purpose, first of all, turn off the power supply to the circuit at the main panel.
- Remove the switch plates and pull the switch out.
- Check wiring connections for strong connections and at the right place.
- If the wire is not accurately connected, make the connection at the right points.
- If needed, replace the switch, note the wire connections, and make a new one.
- Now make the connection of wires with the new switch according to the older one.
- Â Put the switch in the box and add the cover plate. On the supply and check the working of the switch
How to Test a 3-
- First of all, turn off the power supply for the switch through breakers, and with the use of a tester, make sure that power supply is off. Remove the two 3-way switches from the switch box for accessing the switch terminals.
- With the use of a continuity tester, check continuity between common terminals and traveler terminals of 3-way switches.
- There is needed continuity between common terminals and single traveler terminals. When the switch is toggled, there is continuity between the common terminals and the other traveler terminals.
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