The answer to how it works is to have an extra hot wire that runs between the two switch boxes. How to wire 3 way light switch step by step step 1.
3 Way Switch Wiring Electrical 101
3 way switch wiring with two lights. Here the source is at the first switch sw1 and 3 wire cable runs from there to the first light l1. This diagram sh ows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit. Wiring a 3 way switch isnt that difficult. The black wire from the other 3 way gets connected to the line black wire. This option actually requires you to run two romex lines between the lights. Note that this configuration is easiest to do when utilizing the first method of 3 way circuits discussed previously in our wiring a basic 3 way switch article or diagram.
The power source is via the switch box sb1 and a 3 wire cable c1 runs from there to the first fixture f1. Two 2 wire cables c3 and c4 run between the fixtures and a 3 wire cable c2 runs from the second fixture f2 to the second 3 way switch sw2. In the above 3 way switch wiring diagram at each switch the black wire gets connected to the copper or black screw. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box. Option 1 is for power into the first switch wire to the lights and lastly wire from the light to the other switch. Wiring a 3 way switch with multiple lights in this circuit two light fixtures are shown but more can be added by duplicating the wiring arrangement between the fixtures for each additional light.
In other words a 3 way switch is made up of one light thats controlled by two separate switches. It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward. Before you can install your new three way switch youll need to put an. Option 2 is for power into the first switch. The first step in any electrical project is to make sure there is no. Grounding screws often are furnished with boxes and are green.
In the ceiling light fixture electrical box one black wire from a 3 way switch gets connected to the black load wire on the light fixture. The most important rationale is that there are several ways that a three way switch can be wired. Install the correct electrical boxes. Light is controlled by two three way switches with the light between the switches and the power first going through a switch then to the light and onto the second three way switch. Turn the power off at circuit breaker. Two lights between 3 way switches power via a switch shown below are two fixtures between 3 way switches.
3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures.
Gallery of 3 Way Switch Wiring With Two Lights
