Three Way Light Switch

Wiring a 3 way light switch.

Three way light switch. Two 3 way switches are required in any 3 way application. There are several ways to install a 3 way light switch. A 3 way wall switch controls a common light or set of lights from two separate switch locations. This guide highlights the procedures for replacing a broken 3 way electrical 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. Most common is the single pole switch the type used to control a light fixture from a single location the next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. 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.

Three way switches allow for controlling a light fixture from two separate locations these are usually used at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs or at two different entrances to a room. Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. A 3 way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. This 3 way light switch diagram shows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit.

Before proceeding make sure you are comfortable working with electrical wires and switches. 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. Two common screws and two brass screws not counting the ground screw. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out it s also one of the most useful. 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. A four way switch has an extra common screw to bring the total number of screws up to four. 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.