Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
Three way light switch diagram.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring.
This 3 way light switch diagram shows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light.
Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.
The ground wire goes through both switch boxes and the ceiling light box and it is connected at all junctions except the light with a pigtail short piece of wire and wire connector.
No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxes no longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes.
This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
In this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
Two three way switches control one light with the electric power coming through the first switch flowing to the second switch and then to the light fixture.
Three way switches allow for controlling a light fixture from two separate locations these are usually used at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs or at two different entrances to a room.
3 way switch wiring diagram line to light fixtureline voltage enters the light fixture outlet box.
Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram.
Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end.