In building wiring, multiway switching is the interconnection of two or more electrical switches to control an electrical load from more than one location. You can create a detailed diagram like this one or create a simple outline of the layout. In this wiring diagram, the fixture is connected to the switches with three-wire cables. The colors of the wires and other components can vary from one model to another and therefore, you have to be 100% sure before configuring and wiring properly.Another way to wire a three-way switch is when supply comes at the switch, goes to the fixture, and terminates at the other switch. We have provided all the necessary steps and diagrams you need for perfect setup. Setting up 3-way switch wiring is slightly complicated and there are three different ways you can set it up as per requirements. The light fixture will receive power at the switch traveler terminals.The second switch will send the incoming black wire to the common terminal.The black wire will connect to the first switch’s common terminal and carry it to the second switch.The white wire which has wire nuts will stay continuous.The first switch gets the power and then it is placed on the second switch. The Power Source Wires go From Switch to Switch The red wire leads to the fixture from the common terminal of the first switch.ģ. Even the black and red travelers connect on both switches.The wire connects to the 2nd switch’s common terminal.The inbound white wire and the black wire passes through the first switch box.The power source will travel from one switch and connect to another switch. In this configuration, the power source enters the light fixture box first. The Power Source Wires Enter the Light Fixture Box Wrap black electrical tape around the white wire and ends.Ģ.Using ground screws connect the wires to the 3-way switches.Feed the cable which has insulated conductors between the two boxes.It has to be large that makes it accommodate extra wires.

For the basement 3-way switch, an electrical box is required.In doing so, it terminates at the other switch. In this setup, it is the first switch that is connected to power. The Power Source Wires Enter One Switch Box Depending on the power entering the circuit as well as the placement of switches and lights, here are the possible ways. There are basically three different ways you can set up three-way switches to control the connected light. When you switch on the light, any of these wires get hot as per configurations. There are three wires that connect to the two switches and they are two black wires and a common wire. The light switch is to barge in the hot wire when the switch is turned off. When it comes to the hot wire or the charged wire from the power source goes through the switches. The ground wire goes to the grounding screws. The white wire from the power source goes directly to the light fixture. Two out of these three terminals have same color while the remaining terminal called the common terminal generally has a darker color. Instead of 2 terminal screws and a ground screw, 3-way switch has 3 terminal screws and a ground screw.

3 switch light switch wiring