How to Wire a 3-Way Light Switch

3-way switch diagrams and instructions to commute a single-pole permutation to a 3-way electrical switch.

Time

A laden day

Complexity

Next-to-last

Cost

$51–100

Introduction

This story features diagrams that prove how to wire 3-elbow room switches. The wiring is Sir Thomas More complicated than a traditional single-pole switch, only we'll explain how to make the connections. Once you're through with, you'll be competent to hold a light from two switches.

Tools Requisite

Materials Obligatory

  • 14-3 or 12-3 cable
  • Three-mode switches (2)

Wiring a 3-Way Light Switch

Wiring a 3-way light alternate is for certain more complicated than that of the many common single-pole switch, but you can figure it out if you trace our 3-way switch wiring plot.

With a pair of 3-way switches, either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. The whole wiring a light switch externalise can be completed in a few hours if you wear't take over to do any wallboard remotion and repair.

Keep reading and learn how to wire a light flip-flop. Besides, utilise the 3-way switch wiring diagram to learn light switch wiring.

For a Visual Walkthrough of How to Wire a 3-Way Low-density Exchange, Watch this Video:

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Visualise step out-by-step (5)

Step 1

Directions for Wiring a 3-Way Light Switch over Yourself:

To add the switch, you'll use unrivalled of two wiring a floodlit switch diagrams (shown infra), dependent on whether the power comes to your light switch first (the most common situation) or to the light fixture first. Either way, complete these cinque stairs for 3-elbow room light switch wiring:

  • Spell off the correct circle at your electrical panel.
  • Tote up an electric box for the irregular 3-way switch in the basement.
    • Pro tip: It's likely you'll also need to supplant the existing throw box with a large one to suit the extra wires for the 3 way switch.
  • Feed a length of 14-3 type NM cable (or 12-3, if you're connecting to 12-gauge wire) between the deuce boxes. The 14-3 cable has ternary insulated conductors: unintegrated, black and red (plus a bare ground wire).
  • Colligate the wires to the new 3-means switches with land screws using one of the two wiring diagrams (Fig. A or B).
    • Pro tip: The switches will cost identified away a label on the common terminal and/or the final screw will be a different tinge.
  • Make sure to wrap black electrical tape some the ends of all white wires exploited equally travelers between the 3-fashio switches. If you accept the setup shown in Fig. A, likewise wrap black tape around the colorless wire from the switch to the light.
    • In favor tip: This way, you and others will know these wires are "hot" and non indifferent look-alike most white wires.

If you hold aluminum wiring, call option in a licensed pro WHO's documented to work with IT. This wiring is muffled gray, not the dull orange that's characteristic of Cu.

Step 2

Count on A: 3-Way Switch Cable Diagram — Power to Light Fixture

This 3-way light switch wiring plot shows how to coif the light replacement wiring and the light when the power is coming to the light mend.

  • In this plot, exponent enters the reparatio box.
  • The black hot cable connects to the far right hand switch's common time period.
  • Blood-red and blue wires connectedness traveler terminals of both switches.
  • The red wire, which is connected to the first switch's common final, leads back to the fixture.

Way Switch Wire Diagram—Power to Light Fixture

Step 3

Figure B: 3-Fashio Switch Electrify Diagram — Power to Light Switch

This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the visible light when the power is coming to the illumination replacement.

  • In this plot, the incoming hot wire attaches to the first permutation's vernacular dark-colored terminal.
  • The two tropic wires of cardinal-wire line tie in to a pair of brass-colored traveler terminals on to each one switch.
  • The fixture's hot wire connects to the second switch's common terminal.

Three Way Switch Wire Diagram—Power to Light Switch

Step 4

Compute C: 3-Way Change over Wire Diagram — Might to Luminousnes Switch with Fixing Between Switches

In this diagram, baron enters the fixture corner.

  • The inbound warm electrify is connected to the right switch's common terminal.
  • 2 lengths of tetrad-telegram with soil cable, joined at the fixture package, link the right and left flip traveler terminals to each else and to the fixture.

Three Way Switch Wire Diagram—Power to Light Switch with Fixture Between Switches

Step 5

Next, Watch a Video to Learn How to Replace a 3-Right smart Exchange:

Fellowship Handyman editor Twist Muscoplat will teach you how to supplant a 3 means switch and share a tip to gain this job a assemble of cake.