How To Wire A 3-way Light Switch

You will find three basic types of light switches. The foremost is an easy, single light switch. The second reason is a 3-way switch that controls one lighting fixture from two locations. The third is a 4-way switch that controls one lighting fixture from three or maybe more locations.

The best way for three-way switches is to put the light involving the two switches. You have to take a close look at an electric wiring diagram to comprehend.

The cable ought to be 12.2 Romex even the initial switch, then run 12.3 Romex to the light and then about the second switch.

The 12.3 Romex comes with an extra wire termed as a traveler (usually red), which can be required for 3-way switches.

In the first switch, the 12.2 Romex in the circuit run enters the foot of the switch box and also the hot (black) cable connects to the bottom right terminal about the switch.

The 12.3 Romex enters through the the top of switch box. The hot traveler (red) wire connects to top left terminal on the switch. The black (hot) wire connects to the top right terminal about the switch.

The 12.3 neutral (white) wire connects straight to the 12.2 neutral wire with wire nuts and also the copper ground wires are also connected as well as wire nuts.
In the lamp, you ought to have two ends of 12.3 Romex hanging out. One end arises from the first switch the other end comes from the 2nd switch.

First connect the copper ground wires together with a wire nut to obtain them off the beaten track, and then connect the two red traveler wires along with a wire nut too.

Now get the black wire coming from the first box and the white wire coming from the second box and connect them as well as wire nuts. Now, this is important, you need to mark both ends of the white wire by wrapping it with black electrical tape. What this means is you have made it a hot wire. This is a code requirement! It's quite common practice for 3 and 4-way switches.

Now, on the second switch, you will connect the red traveler wire to the top left terminal. The white, wire now called black with tape, connects towards the upper right terminal. The black wire will connect with the low right terminal screw. The copper wire will connect to the therapy lamp whether it's metallic box or even the green ground screw on the switch in the event the box is plastic.

The light box should now have a black wire and a white wire protruding that is what you should have to connect the light to.