Glory Wiring A 3 Way Toggle Switch

Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load.

Wiring a 3 way toggle switch. When wiring a 3 way switch circuit we will be using a 3 wire cable known as romex coming from the source such as the breaker box. To make sure there s no room for doubt you can use a. A 3 way switch allows you to turn a light on or off from two different switches.

When the circuit s power is turned on any of these may be hot depending upon how the switches are toggled. When you make use of your finger or follow the circuit with your eyes it s easy to mistrace the circuit. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch.

Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switch s common dark colored terminal. The 3 wire cable consist of a black wire a white wire and a bare copper wire while the 4 wire cable has an added red wire which is hot as well.

Turn the power off at circuit breaker. The wiring method will depend on whether your power goes to the switch first or the light first. 3 way switches are useful for large rooms with multiple entrances but require a bit more wiring than a standard single pole switch.

Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn.

Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no power going to the circuit you plan to be working on. 3 position toggle switch wiring diagram wiring diagram is a simplified satisfactory pictorial representation of an electrical circuit it shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes and the talent and signal contacts surrounded by the devices.