In the light fixtures box there will be two 3 wire cables. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch.
3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram
3 wires in light switch. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light switch in this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. The old switch had four wires going into l1 l2 l3 and l4. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. The fixtures hot wire connects. One example of a 3 wire lighting system. If it doesnt work switch the lower wires.
Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end in this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch. One 3 wire cable originates at the first switch box and has its white insulated wire as a neutral. A three way switch is different. The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. The other 3 wire cable originates at the second switch box and will become the switch leg.
This type of switch lets you turn the light off or on from more than one place in the room. The 3 wire system is less common than the 2 wire system it includes a neutral at the switch as well as the live and switched live wires. This is a typical wiring setup for a 3 way light switch with black white red and ground wires. Re wiring 3 way light switch hi guyscould really do with some advice for replacing a 3 way single light switch. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. An example of a 3 wire lighting circuit is shown in figure 2.