![]() Finally, connect the red wire to the brass screw on the switch. Next, connect the white wire to the silver screw on the switch. Start by connecting the black wire to the black screw on the switch. ![]() Now it is time to connect the wires to the new switch. The black wire is the "hot" wire, the white wire is the neutral wire, and the red wire is the traveler wire. ![]() In most cases, you should see three wires: a black wire, a white wire, and a red wire. Once you have removed the old switch, you will need to identify the wires. Carefully pull the switch out of the box, being careful not to touch any of the wires. Start removing the cover plate, then, unscrew the switch from the electrical box. Next, you will need to remove the old switch from the wall. You can do this by turning off the circuit breaker that controls the circuit, or by turning off the main power switch to your house. Now that you understand what a three-way switch is and how it differs from a two-way switch, let's walk through the process of how to wire a three-way switch with multiple lights.īefore you start any electrical work, you should always turn off the power to the circuit you are working on. Step-by-step guide to connecting a three-way light switch But if you have a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs that both control the same light, that is a three-way switch. For example, if you have a light switch at the top of the stairs that controls a light at the bottom of the stairs, that is a two-way switch. A two-way switch only allows you to control a light from one location, while a three-way switch allows you to control a light from two different locations. Two-way light switchīefore we dive into the wiring process, it is essential to understand the difference between a three-way light switch and a two-way light switch. It is a popular choice for hallways, staircases, and large rooms where multiple switches are needed to control the same light fixture. In this guide, we will explain what a three-way light switch is, how it differs from a two-way switch, and provide a step-by-step guide to wiring a three-way switch.Ī three-way light switch is a type of electrical switch that allows control of a light or group of lights from two different locations. Good luck.Wiring a three-way switch might seem daunting, but it is a simple process if you know what you are doing. Don't forget to write which boxes are switches and outside lights etc. That is an important step to let us know that. Thats the home run and record it on the drawing. And very carefully with your meter on Volts AC go between what you think is a hot (either black or red) and a ground and see if you have 120V. To test that with all the cables still NOT touching (except grounds with each other) you will need to flip the circuit breaker on. We will also need to know which cable is the home run/ hot power cable. But maybe you want to draw that so you can put it back together! ![]() You will not have to say where each wire connects on the drawing (we more care where each cable runs to and how many wires). Once a wire from each cable is tested, record those findings and make a drawing. If it wasn't a match it would have an infinity number or OL. Other meters to show there is continuity will have a very low ohms reading. If there is no continuity it will not beep. Meaning that is the same wire/ same cable on whatever two wires your meter is on. Basically it beeps if those are the correct wires and current can travel that path around the meter. Go into the first box and attach a red or black wire to a ground (have them touching) and with your meter in the second box put one lead of your meter on any black or red wire and one lead on a ground (all the grounds are connected so any one is fine).Īll multimeters are different but some multi meters have a continuity function, where it beeps if there is continuity. Now you may go around from box to box piecing together where the wires go. Now you need to set your meter to the low ohms (omega symbol) OR continuity setting (looks like 3 lines ontop of each other projecting sound). And make sure no wires are touching each other. Than you would need to open all your boxes and open all the wire nuts except the grounds. TURN off your circuit and test that it's off. ![]() To test where they all go you would need to (Do not worry about drawing the grounds, we will assume all your boxes have them). If you do that somebody would be happy to draw ontop of it for you and connect your wires if it can be done. So you would need to do a drawing and post it. There are many combinations so we would need to see a diagram of were the wires go. In the most basic way it would depend how the wires were fed between the lights and the boxes. ![]()
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