![]() ![]() Trying to cram in all of the additional wires into an oldbox simply won’t work. 3 way switches need a lot ofextra wires to work, and that means they need extra room to properly operate. While you will already have a switch box in place, odds areit is not going to be big enough for your project. Once you understand the switch or switches you plan to use,the next part of the wiring process is to install larger electrical boxes. The common wire is easy to identify because it is a differentcolor than both traveler terminals. Then there is the ground wire terminal, which sits on thetop or bottom of the switch and is mounted to the frame, and the common wirescrew (located on the left side). These sit oneach side of the switch towards the top, which makes them easy to identify. Looking at your switch, you want to correctly identify allof the terminals that you’ll be connecting your wires to.įirst, there are the traveler wire terminals. This is a useful step thateveryone, regardless of experience, should do in order to make the installationprocess much easier. Next, you want to “>getfamiliar with your 3-way switches. Once you have located the breaker, find the one thatcontrols the lights in the room you’ll be working in and switch it off (justmove the switch over).įrom there, you should then take your “>voltagetester and double check that there is no power flowing through theroom.Įven if your lights appear to be turned off, this is animportant step that reduces the risk of fire or electrocution. This may seem obvious to some, but for those notfamiliar with wires skipping or forgetting this step can end in disaster.Įlectricity is harmful, and you must take the necessarysafety precautions when wiring to ensure that you don’t have an unfortunateaccident.įirst, locate your circuit breaker to turn off the switch.Though this is different from home to home, most buildings have the breakers inout-of-the-way places like the garage or basement. The first thing you must do after assembling your tools isswitch off the circuit. As long as you carefully go through each one you’ll be done inno time. ![]() Setting up 3 way switch wiring is a process that happens insuccinct steps. Once you have everything ready to go, you can start with thewiring. You should also gather up (or purchase) a 14-3 or 12-3 cablein addition to 3 way switches. Knowing and assembling what you need beforehand not onlysaves you time, it also creates a lot less frustration.įor this wiring style, you want a 4-in-1 screwdriver (themost versatile type), electrical tape, a utility knife, a non-contact voltagetester, a wire stripper/cutter, and needle nose pliers. It is always important to make note of this beforehand so thatyou don’t get too far into your work and then realize you’re missing a keyinstrument. As with any project, 3 way switch wiring require a set ofspecific tools. Though the process can be more complicated if you have to dodrywall work as well, wiring a light switch without such obstacles is a processthat anyone can handle. While it iseasy to assume that you need a professional for such a project, with thecorrect knowledge anyone can wire a light switch in just a few hours. Many people opt to change out such fixtures or upgrade theirlight switches themselves. This is a popular method used inmany homes, but older or simpler set-ups still exist. For those new to electrical work, 3-way switches enable lightsto be controlled from different locations. This guide will take an in-depth look into 3 way switch wiringto break down each part of the process and enable you to do your own at-homework in no time. This process,while harder than many basic wirings, is quite manageable to follow or figureout once you understand all of the different steps. There are various ways to wirea switch, but one of the more daunting is 3 way switch wiring. ![]() As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. ![]()
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