3 way lighting switch diagram. Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. To maintain the integrity of the flat twinearth and 3 coreearth cable we must wire up the circuit in accordance with the diagram below click to enlarge. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. In other words a 3 way switch is made up of one light thats controlled by two separate switches.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. How three way light switches work craig lloyd atcraigelloyd november 29 2017 300pm edt if there are lights in your house that can be controlled from two different light switches as opposed to just one then the light is commonly referred to as a three way light and the switches are referred to as three way light switches. Before you begin wiring 3 way switches you must. Wiring a 3 way switch isnt that difficult.
A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. 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. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple openclosed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative. Interested in a 4 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. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Three way switches allow for controlling a light fixture from two separate locations these are usually used at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs or at two different entrances to a room. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. How to wire a 3 way switch and connect two 3 way switches to an existing or new light fixture is one of those diy projects a homeowner can tackle on their own. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. 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.
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The answer to how it works is to have an extra hot wire that runs between the two switch boxes. The hot source is connected to the common terminal on sw1 and the. This video shows how to wire a three way lighting circuit this means that you can have three separate switches for example one in the hall way one on the landing and one at the top of the stairs.
The first length of cable will be from the supply to the light itself. Usually the light base or pendant provides all the terminals. The most important rationale is that there are several ways that a three way switch can be wired. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.