Three Wire Switch Diagram

Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable.
Three wire switch diagram. A three way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two way switch. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. Knowing how to wire a three way lighting switch comes down to understanding the operation of this contraption. You must completely forget about the notion of a switch being a simple open closed circuit and look at the diagram of the circuitry of this modern alternative.
The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. A 3 way switch circuit is explained and described in detail including visual animation and practical application. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. In this diagram the source is in the middle of the circuit along with the dimmer switch.
From the dimmer 3 wire cable runs to the other switch and 2 wire cable runs to the light fixture. The source hot wire is spliced to the common on the dimmer and the neutral is splice through to the light fixture. Video includes the bonus addition of adding a 4 way switch. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together.
Now discussing 3 way light switch wiring diagram as also discussed above the color codes of the wires as having three insulated conductors as black as hot red as switch wire or called traveler and white as common wire as also shown when light is connected to both black and white wires. The white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. 3 way switch wiring diagram with power feed via light.
3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. This is the best way to wire a three way switch as it provides a neutral wire at each switch location.