Is this what you have. There is a way to wire a light fixture controlled with two 3 way switches using only 14 2 cable.
How To Wire Switches
How to wire a 3 way switch with 12 2. This is the new method to make a 2 way switching connection as it is slightly different from the two wire control method. The answer to this is something so ludicrous that you just wouldnt do it but there is in fact a solution. While wiring a 3 way switch is more involved than something simple like installing an electrical box for an electric fireplace the task can be simple enough if you follow along with these instructions. You can wire a three way switch with 14 2. 3 way switch 2 3 way wire which has black white and red coated wires and of course a copper ground wire. This story features diagrams that show how to wire 3 way switches.
First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Yes a 3 way switch can be wired using a marked white wire not a neutral provided your 3 way switch has the following. Once youre done youll be able to control a light from two switches. Then connect the 2 switches by splitting the 3 wire cable apart and attaching each of the 3 wires to one of the other 3 screws on each switch. The white wire is unused. Run another cable from the bulb to the other switch also connecting the black to the common on one side and the bulb on the other.
This method is commonly used now days as it is efficient than the two wire control system. Email me at some114 at gmail. A common either 120v power or the wire to the light fixture. To wire a 3 way light switch youll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. As you can see in the schematic diagram of 2 way switch circuit below the common of both the switches are short circuited. Run a length of 14 2 cable from each 3 way switch to the light fixture and a third one between the.
A three way wall switch is single pole double throw spdt with three connection wires and is typically wired with 123 or 143 cable between the two switches. This can easily be solved using two 3 way switches one black screw and 2 copper screws but this problem can only be solved using two 2 way switches power and the bulb. 2 traveler wires connect to each 3 way. Ive drawn a bunch of schematics and ive gotten the closes to answering it. Three wire supply cables generally carry red and black hot wires of 110 to 120 volts each with a single white neutral wire. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more.
Finally run the last 2 wire cable from the second switchs black screw to the light. Finally connect neutral and hot to the remaining poles. The lighting could be added to the three wire cable provided that the circuit breaker is no more than 15 amps and the wire size is no greater than 14 gauge. The wiring is more complicated than a traditional single pole switch but well explain how to make the connections. You run a 14 2 cable from the lightbulb to one switch and connect the black to the bulb on one side and the common connector of the switch. The downside to this isif the light is off it can still be hot on both sides of the circuit.
You can do the work with the proper tools materials and electrical circuit knowledge. How to connect 2 way switch wiring using three wire control. Two way switches are single pole single throw spst with two connection wires and are wired with 122 or 142 cable between the switch and fixture. So far the closest thing ive had is to wire the switches in series but the circuit in parallel. Pin1 of both the switches are connected with the phase or live wire and pin2 of both the switches.
Gallery of How To Wire A 3 Way Switch With 12 2
