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3 Way Switch

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Locelo Sorita
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833 views11 pages

3 Way Switch

Uploaded by

Locelo Sorita
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

This story features diagrams that show how to wire 3-way switches. The
wiring is more complicated than a traditional single-pole switch, but we'll
explain how to make the connections. Once you're done, you'll be able to
control a light from two switches.

Tools and equipment needed:


 2 set long nose pliers
 Multi - Tester
 Screw driver
 2 Set gloves
 1 hard hat
 1 pair working boots
 1 googles

Materials Required
 12 m stranded wire # 14 THHN
 2 - Three-way switches
 Panel Board
 3 junctions boxes
 1 panel box
 1 pc 60 A
 2 pcs 20 A
 1 pc 15 A
 1 pc Electrical tape
Procedure:

1. Lay - out the main circuit (60 A) at your electrical panel box
2. Lay - out spare Circuit breaker ( 20 for ACU) and other special
Appliances
3. Lay - out Convenience Outlet Breaker (20 A) for as Source outlet
for kitchen and TV
4. Lay out Lighting Fixtures Breaker (15 A) for lighting Load
5. Lay out the Lighting materials with 200 cm distance between
fixture with the scale ratio (of 100 cm = 10 cm figure as shown
( below)

60A 20A

20A 15A

Traveller Traveller

0
0

1 3 1 3

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. The entire wiring a light switch project can be
completed in a few hours if you don’t have to do any drywall removal and
repair.
Keep reading and learn how to wire a light switch. Also, use the 3-way switch
wiring diagram to learn light switch wiring.

Step 1

Directions for Wiring a 3-Way Light Switch


Yourself:
To add the switch, you’ll use one of two wiring a light switch diagrams (shown
below), depending on whether the power comes to your light switch first (the
most common situation) or to the light fixture first. Either way, follow these five
steps for 3-way light switch wiring:
 Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel.
 Add an electrical box for the second 3-way switch in the basement.
o Pro tip: It’s likely you’ll also need to replace the existing switch

box with a larger one to accommodate 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 two boxes. The 14-3 cable has three insulated
conductors: white, black and red (plus a bare ground wire).
 Connect the wires to the newly installed 3-way switches with ground
screws using one of the two wiring diagrams (Fig. A or B).
o Pro tip: The switches will be identified by a label on the common

terminal and/or the terminal screw will be a different color.


 Make sure to wrap black electrical tape around the ends of all white
wires used as travelers between the 3-way switches. If you have the
setup shown in Fig. A, also wrap black tape around the white wire from
the switch to the light.
o Pro tip: This way, you and others will know these wires are “hot”

and not neutral like most white wires.

If you have aluminum wiring, call in a licensed pro who’s certified to work with
it. This wiring is dull gray, not the dull orange that’s characteristic of copper.
Step 2

Figure A: 3-Way Switch Wire Diagram —


Power to Light Fixture
This 3-way light switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switch and the
light when power is coming to the light fixture.
 In this diagram, power enters the fixture box.
 The black hot wire connects to the far right switch’s common terminal.
 Red and blue wires link the traveler terminals of both switches.
 The red wire, which is connected to the first switch’s common terminal,
leads back to the fixture.

FAMILY HANDYMAN
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Step 3

Figure B: 3-Way Switch Wire Diagram —


Power to Light Switch
This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light
when power is coming to the light switch.
 In this diagram, the incoming hot wire is attached to the first switch’s
common dark-colored terminal.
 The two hot wires of the three-wire cable connect to a pair of brass-
colored traveler terminals on each switch.
 The fixture’s hot wire connects to the second switch’s common terminal.

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Step 4

Figure C: 3-Way Switch Wire Diagram —


Power to Light Switch with Fixture Between
Switches
In this diagram, power enters the fixture box.
 The incoming hot wire is connected to the right switch’s common
terminal.
 Two lengths of four-wire with ground cable, joined at the fixture box, link
the right and left switch traveler terminals to each other and to the
fixture.

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Originally Published: June 02, 2020


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