3 Way Light Switch

With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

3 way light switch. The most basic three way switch setup has two switches that connect and control one light fixture like switches on either end of a hallway staircase or large living area. The methods shown here are some of the safest and most versatile though not the only options. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out it s also one of the most useful. The ground wire goes through both switch boxes and the ceiling light box and it is connected at all junctions except the light with a pigtail short piece of wire and wire connector.

Two three way switches control one light with the electric power coming through the first switch flowing to the second switch and then to the light fixture. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. A four way switch has an extra common screw to bring the total number of screws up to four. A three way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room.

In a hallway or large room for example installing three way switches at both ends lets you turn the light fixture on or off from both locations. Wiring a 3 way light switch. 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.