Beautiful Work Typical 3 Way Switch Wiring

In each position on off the switch will connect the input to only one of the outputs.

Typical 3 way switch wiring. The principle is that the switch will have one main input terminal and two output terminals. A 3 way switch allows you to turn a light on or off from two different switches. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. 3 way switch wiring diagram. 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 wiring method will depend on whether your power goes to the switch first or the light first. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.

Mike teaches you how to wire a 3 way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.

This is the 3 wire cable which you must have to wire a 3 way light switch. In other words the current will always flow from one input pin to either output pin. 3 way switches are useful for large rooms with multiple entrances but require a bit more wiring than a standard single pole switch.