Three way light switch schematic

In this arrangement the source for the circuit is at the light fixture which is located in the middle of the circuit. 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. Wiring a three way light switch. The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box.

Learn about way switching using these Way Light Switch Diagrams. You can observe how the schematic look of way light switch. Four way switch wiring diagram. A four way switch is added when there are more than two switch locations operating the same light. This wiring schematic is also used when installing a 4- way switch with 2- way light switches.

Materials: Make sure replacement - way light switches have the same amperage and voltage rating as the original three way light switch , and is the switch is fully compatible with the electrical circuit , the light fixture and the type of light bulbs being used. For example, they can be arranged so that the feed cable runs to the first three - way switch , then to the light fixture box, then to the second three - way switch. Be sure to mark the white wire as noted so if any future repairs or replacement is neede whoever goes into the box will know it is marked as a hot wire. What is common in the diagrams above and with any - way switch circuit is that the power hot wire coming into the circuit will always go to the common terminal of the first switch.

The hot wire from light always goes to the common terminal of the second switch. Controlling a light with three or more switches. For more than two switches , one or more 4- way switches are added between the - way switches.

A 4- way switch has two positions. In the first position, the contacts are connected straight through, so that the switch has no effect. The red wire in the cable is known as the traveler, and it connects to the black terminal screws on the pair of switches.

While the physical location of the way switch may be anywhere, the electrical location of the switch is always between the two way switches. If additional way switches are neede they will also go between the way switches. 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.

Here the source is at the first switch , SW and -wire cable runs from there to the first light , L1. A - way switch has three screws plus the green grounding screw. The most important screw is the black one.

Three way switch lighting circuit diagrams. Here is our selection of three way light switch circuit diagrams. This is where two switches control the same light (or lights). Now discussing - way light switch wiring diagram as also discussed above the color codes of the wires as having three insulated conductors as black as hot, red as switch wire or called traveler and white as common wire as also shown when light is connected to both black and white wires.

Colors are shown consistent with the NEC. Before reading this page, you may want to visit - way switches and 4- way switches. Below is perhaps the simplest arrangement, panel to switch to switch to light : Below is a variation with the light between the two switches , i. The three - way switch is a variation of the standard single-pole switch , which controls a light only from one location.

A third type is the four- way switch , which is used in conjunction with two three - way switches to control lighting from more than two locations. How to Install a Three - Way Switch and Wire a Circuit Typically used for hallways and staircases, three - way switches are used in instances where two separate switches control one. Use these step-by-step instructions to install a three - way switch and wire a circuit. The wiring of three - way switches is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single-pole switch , but you can figure it out using our diagrams. The first thing you will need to determine is where the power is coming from and where the switches are positioned.

Lutron Maestro Dimmer Troubleshooting Image collections Free from lutron way dimmer switch wiring diagram , source:leey. Leviton Single Pole and - Way Switch Installation Instructions. Single pole switch and - way switch on the same circuit. The term “ - way circuit ” refers to a circuit with two switches and one load ( light ) like you find at the top and bottom of a stairway. A three way switch has nothing at all to do with the ground or neutral, (there may be a green chassis safety ground screw, but whether or not you bother with it is not important).

There is just a hot coming in that to one way switch that goes out to one of the pair called travelers. Touch the probes to the wires removed from the switch until you get a reading on the tester indicating continuity. These are the runners of the circuit.

Connect these wires to the switch , wire on each of the brass colored screws. The third wire is the common wire that feeds the light fixture and is connected to the black screw on the switch. According to the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th edition, 4- way light switches used in conjunction with - way light switches enable lights to be turned on and off from three or more locations. Installing switch circuits is an easy project that almost any handy person.

A three - way switch is a handy convenience to control a light from two locations, such as at the top and bottom of a staircase. If the words On and Off aren’t embossed on the switch and it’s one of two switches that control a single light or receptacle, you have a three - way switch. Illustration on next page).