Its likely youll also need to replace the. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
Two Way Switched Lighting Circuits 1
3 way switch wiring options. Colors are shown consistent with the nec. The system also requires three way switches. Below is perhaps the simplest arrangement panel to switch to switch to light. Installing c by ge smart switches on a 3 way or multi way circuit requires all switches on the same circuit to be a c by ge smart switch. 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 black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.
The instructions below are based on the most commonly used method. Its likely youll also need to replace the. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. How to connect wires for 3 way light switches both of the switches should be 3 way switches with the appropriate wiring installed between them such as a 3 wire cable. The cable should also have a ground wire or a total of four wires in the cable. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. Frequently asked questions more about wiring 3way switches. Here are several variations of using 3 way switches to control lights from two locations. Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches the key to wiring 3 way switches the power feed and the switch leg leading to the fixture s typically one at each switch location are attached to the screw terminal found at one end of the switch by itself three way switch diagrams fully explained. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. The power wire the neutral wire and the traveller or switch wire. Three way switches require a three wire cable. Fix three way light switch wiring. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. 3 way circuits can vary depending on the method used at the time the home was wired. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Before reading this page you may want to visit 3 way switches and 4 way switches. Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram youre following youll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement.
So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire.