Three Way Electrical Switch Wiring Diagram

I have a outside light by the door going out of the home that is controlled by a single pole switch.

Three way electrical switch wiring diagram.

Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. This is the 3 wire cable which you must have to wire a 3 way. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram you re following you ll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.

Three way switch diagrams fully explained wiring 3way switches 3 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from two locations. 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. 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. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.

This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. 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. Traveler wires are interchangeable.

Wiring a 3 way light switch. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. How would this be wired.

Diy electrical wiring a 3 way switch. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. In the above diagram the white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box.