How to Wire a 3-Way Switch

Generated guide based on video: Watch on YouTube

Summary: This guide teaches you how to wire a 3-way switch, allowing you to control a single light from two different locations. It covers safety precautions, necessary connections, and installation steps.

Materials Needed

  • 3-way switches
  • wires
  • wire stripper
  • screwdriver
  • labels

Outcome: Successfully wired 3-way switches that control a light from two locations

Steps

Step 1: Turn off the power

Ensure there is no power to the light switches or lights by turning off the circuit.

Demonstration of turning off the circuit breaker.

Demonstration of turning off the circuit breaker.

Step 2: Label the wires

Label the wires as power coming in, common between switches, and wire to the light to avoid confusion.

Illustration of labeling wires to prevent confusion.

Illustration of labeling wires to prevent confusion.

Step 3: Strip the wires

Strip all the wires that you will be working with to prepare for connections.

Shows the process of stripping wires.

Shows the process of stripping wires.

Step 4: Connect ground wires in switch one

Attach all the ground wires in the first switch.

Connecting ground wires in the first switch.

Connecting ground wires in the first switch.

Step 5: Connect power wire to common terminal

Attach the black wire from the power coming in to the common terminal of the first switch.

Connecting the power wire to the common terminal.

Connecting the power wire to the common terminal.

Step 6: Connect neutral wires

Connect the neutral wire from the power coming in to the neutral wire in the common cable between the two switches.

Connecting neutral wires between switches.

Connecting neutral wires between switches.

Step 7: Connect traveler wires

Attach the red and black wires from the cable between the two switches to the traveler terminals on the first switch.

Connecting traveler wires to the first switch.

Connecting traveler wires to the first switch.

Step 8: Install switch one

Install the first switch into the electrical box.

Installing the first switch into the electrical box.

Installing the first switch into the electrical box.

Step 9: Connect ground wires in switch two

Gather and attach the ground wires to the second switch.

Connecting ground wires in the second switch.

Connecting ground wires in the second switch.

Step 10: Connect black wire to common terminal in switch two

Attach the black wire going to the light to the common terminal of the second switch.

Connecting the black wire to the common terminal in switch two.

Connecting the black wire to the common terminal in switch two.

Step 11: Connect traveler wires in switch two

Attach the black and red wires on the cable between the two switches to the traveler terminals on the second switch.

Connecting traveler wires to the second switch.

Connecting traveler wires to the second switch.

Step 12: Install switch two

Install the second switch into the electrical box.

Installing the second switch into the electrical box.

Installing the second switch into the electrical box.

Step 13: Install the light fixture

Make the connections at the light fixture: ground to ground, hot to hot, neutral to neutral.

Connecting wires at the light fixture.

Connecting wires at the light fixture.

Step 14: Restore power

Turn the circuit back on to test the switches.

Restoring power to test the switches.

Restoring power to test the switches.