How To Wire Up A Three Way Light Switch

Unscrew and remove the switch plate.

How to wire up a three way light switch. You have the power supply white wire that leads back to the breaker panel and you have the three white wires that connect to the three fixtures. This first step will eventually send power directly to the light fixture. To replace a three way switch follow these steps. Turn off the correct circuit at your electrical panel.

A four way switch has an extra common screw to bring the total number of screws up to four. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. There will be an additional wire needed often red to connect the switches together to a dedicated screw or input on the switch that is specifically marked for this purpose. It s likely you ll also need to replace the existing switch box with a larger one to accommodate the extra wires for the 3 way switch.

Currently you have a total of four white wires. Either way complete these five steps for 3 way light switch wiring. Two common screws and two brass screws not counting the ground screw. Wiring of 3 way light switches 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.

To wire a 3 way light switch you ll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. Use a yellow wire nut and twist all four wires together. To control the light bulb from more than 2 places use an intermediate or four way switch in between the three way switches.

Therefore the 2 switches the light 3 way. Wiring a three way light switch. With a pair of 3 way switches either switch can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. A three way light switch is one where you have two switches that have the ability to control the same light or set of lights.

Wire nut the neutral white wires together. Four way circuits are just a tad different than three way circuits mostly since the light switch that you add in has to be a four way switch rather than just another three way switch. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Connect the white or neutral wires together in the gang box.

Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement.