How to wire a light switch in the USA

3 way light switch circuits with multiple lights

threethreeThese 3 way switch circuits control multiple lights

Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the light switchesTwo lights between 3 way switches (power via a switch)
Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the lightsTwo lights between 3 way switches (power via a light)


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3 way light switch circuit wiring diagrams

Three way switch lighting circuit diagrams

Here is our selection of three way light switch circuit diagrams. This is where two switches control the same light (or lights).

The electrical symbol indicates where power enters the circuit.

3 way switch lighting circuit diagram with the power feed via the light switchThree way light switch with the power feed via the switch (single light)
3 way switch with the power feed via the lightThree way light switch with the power feed via the light
Single light between 2 way switches with the power feed via the switchSingle light between 3 way light switches (power via switch)
Single light between 3 way switches with the power feed via the lightSingle light between 3 way light switches (power via light)
3 way switches controlling two lights with the power feed via the switch3 way light switch with power feed via the switch (two lights)
3 way switches controlling two lights with the power feed via the light3 way light switch with power feed via the light (two lights)
Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the light switchesTwo lights between 3 way light switches (power via a switch)
Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the lightsTwo lights between 3 way light switches (power via a light)


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Two lights between 3 way switches (power via a light)

The power for the circuit joins the light fixture F1 via the cable C5. The neutral connects to the light (LT1) and is spliced through to LT2 via the cable C4. The hot from the power source is spliced through to the common terminal of the switch (SW1) via cable C1.

The travelers from the switches, via C1 and C2, are spliced through the fixtures,and joined by cable C3.

The hot to the lights comes from the common terminal of SW2 via cable C2 where it is spliced to the hot of of LT1 via cable C4.
Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the lights


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Two lights between 3 way switches (power via a switch)

Shown below are two fixtures between 3 way switches.

The power source is via the switch box SB1 and a 3-wire cable (C1) runs from there to the first fixture (F1). Two, 2-wire cables (C3 and C4) run between the fixtures, and a 3-wire cable (C2) runs from the second fixture (F2) to the second 3 way switch (SW2).

The hot source is connected to the common terminal of SW1. The neutral is spliced to the white wire feeding the first fixture, via cable C1,where it is spliced to the neutral of both lights. The traveler wires from the two switches pass straight through the fixtures via cable C3.
Two lights between 3 way switches with the power feed via one of the light switches


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3 way light switch with power feed via the switch (two lights)

Here we have multiple lights controlled by 3 way switches.

The hot from the power source (cable C1) connects to the common terminal of the first 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spiced, in the switch box SB1, through to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via the 3 wire cable (cable C2, that also carries the travelers that connect the two switches) where it is spliced through to the first fixture (F1) and connects with the neutral of each light. In the same way, the hot from the common terminal of the 3-way switch SW2 connects to the hot terminal on each light via cable C3 (spliced in fixture F1).
Circuit diagram for 3 way switches controlling two lights with the power feed via the light switch


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3 way light switch with power feed via the light (two lights)

The power, cable C1, joins the circuit at the light fixture F1. Here the neutral connects to the light F1 and is spliced through to light F2. The hot from the power source is spliced through both fixtures and terminates at the common terminal of SW1 via cable C3.

The travelers of each switch are connect together using cable C4 (taped white and red wires).

The taped white wire of cable C3 is the hot to the light LT2 (where the red wire of cable C2 is used to splice the hot to the next light, LT1).
Circuit diagram for 3 way switches controlling two lights with the power feed via the light


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Single light between 3 way switches (power via switch)

Power enters the circuit at switch box (SB1) and the hot connects to the common terminal of the 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spliced through to the neutral terminal of the light. The travelers from SW1 (via cable C1) are spliced at the fixture and carry on to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via cable C2. The common terminal of SW2 supplies power to the hot terminal of the light.

Single light between 3 way switches with the power feed via the switch


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Single light between 3 way switches (power via light)

The power source in this circuit enters the light fixture where the neutral connects to the light and the hot is spliced through (via cable C2) to the common terminal of the 3-way switch (SW2). The travelers between the switches are also spliced together in the light fixture. The power to the light is via the common terminal of the 3-way switch SW1.

Single light between 3 way switches with the power supplied via the light


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Three way light switch with power feed via the light

In this light switch wiring diagram the power feed joins the circuit via the light fixture where a two wire cable (C2) runs from the light, to the first 3-way switch (SW1), and a 3 wire cable (C3) joins the two switches. The hot source is spliced to the white wire (which should be marked as being hot with black tap) and run through to the common terminal of SW1, and from here the hot from the light is spliced through to the common terminal of the second 3-way switch (SW2).

3 way switch with power feed via the light (single light)

 


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3-way light switch with power feed via the light switch

Here we have a single light controlled by 3 way switches.

The hot from the power source connects to the common terminal of the first 3-way switch (SW1) and the neutral is spiced through (SB1) to the second 3-way switch (SW2) via the 3 wire cable (C2, that also carries the travelers that connect the two switches) where it is spliced through (SB2) to the neutral terminal of the light. The hot from the common terminal of the second 3-way switch (SW2) is connected to the hot terminal of the light.

3 way switch circuit diagram with the power feed via the switch (single light)


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