Three Way Diagram
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Three way diagram. 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. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. 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.
This wire diagram shows the wiring for source power into the first three way switch then 3 wire cable to the next 3 way light switch and then on to the light or light fixtures. Electricians call the continuous hot wire the line wire. 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. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switch s common dark colored terminal.
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. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the 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. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. What is the black screw for on a 3 way switch diagram. Our easy to follow 3 way wiring diagram changing from a single pole to a 3 way light switch allows you to turn on a light from multiple locations such as at the top and bottom of a staircase or both ends of a hallway.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 3 way switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction box. The white wire becomes the energized switch leg as indicated by using black or red electrical tape. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut.
In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. 3 way switch wiring diagram. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch.
The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. 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.