Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
3 Way Switch Wiring Electrical 101
How to wire 3 way switch power at switch. In this light switch wiring diagram the power feed joins the circuit via the light fixture where a two wire cable c2 runs from the light to the first 3 way switch sw1 and a 3 wire cable c3 joins the two switches. The system also requires three way switches. The power wire the neutral wire and the traveller or switch wire. The cable should also have a ground wire or a total of four wires in the cable. B connect the black hot wire coming from the romex cable that leads to your circuit panel to your new 3 way light switch 1 you will connect the hot wire to the hot terminal on the 3 way switch which is usually black and stands alone. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
At the first 3 way switch the black wire that leads up to the light fixture is connected to the black wire of the 3 wire cable. The hot and switch leg are extended over to the traveler terminals on the dead end 3way. Also do the same to the white wire going between switch box 1 and 2 as this wire is also being used as a ungrounded conductor aka. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switchs common dark colored terminal. Grounding the 3way switches the ground wires are all bonded together and one of the ground wires is attached to the ground screw found on each 3 way switch frame. This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch.
When wiring a 3 way switch circuit we will be using a 3 wire cable known as romex coming from the source such as the breaker box. Three way switches require a three wire cable. Be sure to mark the white wire as noted so if any future repairs or replacement is needed whoever goes into the box will know it is marked as a hot wire. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. Three way light switch with power feed via the light. 3 way switch wiring diagram.
Description power and switch leg at one end dead end of a 3 wire at the other. The common terminals of each s3 are connected together and to nothing else. 2 traveler terminals one from each s3 are connected together and connected to the hot. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. Each 3 way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. Wrap a piece of black electrical tape around both ends of the white wire going between the switch and the fixture to indicate that the wire is being used as a ungrounded conductor aka.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. This first step will eventually send power directly to the light fixture. Wiring a 3 way switch with the power coming in through the light and flowing to the switches.
Gallery of How To Wire 3 Way Switch Power At Switch
