Three Way Light Switch Wiring

This 3 way switch wiring diagram shows how to wire the switches and the light when the power is coming to the light switch.

Three way light switch wiring.

Connect the ground wire to the green screw. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.

Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram you re following you ll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. The two hot wires of three wire cable connect to a pair of brass colored traveler terminals on each switch. In this diagram the incoming hot wire attaches to the first switch s common dark colored terminal.

Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. Hook the curled end of the wire under the screw then tighten down the screw to hold the wire firmly in place.