Electrical 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Pdf

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.

Electrical 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf.

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. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Two cubic inches are required by the national electrical code for each 14 wire. Wiring a 3 way light switch. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

The diagrams below show the conventional wiring for 3 way switches. 4 way switch wiring need two 3 way switches one at each end and then as many 4 way switches as you want in between. In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. I have a diagram for this light switch wiring method on my 3 way switch page.

Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. 2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.

3 way switch schematic wiring diagram. 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. Assortment of 3 way switch wiring diagram pdf. A wiring diagram is a simplified standard pictorial representation of an electrical circuit.

See tables 314 16 a b. This is only a wiring schematic and not the actual wiring method used for 3 way switch installations. Below is a simple 3 way schematic that can be applied to all three way electrical light switch connections. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.

With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 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. I did not include grounding conductors on the 4 way switch wiring diagrams in order to keep them simple. It shows the parts of the circuit as simplified forms and also the power and signal links in between the tools.

To illustrate the wiring of these 3 way switches switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application. Traveler wires are interchangeable. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. Two very old three way switches are depicted in the photo above.

If you have any problems with these switches it may be best to call an electrician.