Electrical 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Pdf

Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

Electrical 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf.

Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. Assortment of 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf. Traveler wires are interchangeable. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.

Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The diagrams below show the conventional wiring for 3 way switches. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Two very old three way switches.

See tables 314 16 a b. Below is a simple 3 way schematic that can be applied to all three way electrical light switch connections. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. It shows the parts of the circuit as simplified forms and also the power and signal links in between the tools.

The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. Wiring a 3 way light switch.

Unfortunately not all 3 way switches are wired the conventional way. Two very old three way switches are depicted in the photo above. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 3 way switch schematic wiring diagram.

2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The travelers actually pass the electricity between the two 3 way switches as well as the 4 way switches shown in the 4 way switching wiring diagrams. Diy electrical wiring a 3 way switch.

Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. If you have any problems with these switches it may be best to call an electrician. See alternate 3 way switch wiring configuration for another way 3 way switches may be wired. I have a diagram for this light switch wiring method on my 3 way switch page.

I did not include grounding conductors on the 4 way switch wiring diagrams in order to keep them simple. This is only a wiring schematic and not the actual wiring method used for 3 way switch installations. A wiring diagram is a simplified standard pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. To illustrate the wiring of these 3 way switches switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application.

With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.