In this guide, you will learn How to wire a 3-way light switch and connect (two) 3-way switches to an existing or a new light fixture is a DIY project most homeowners can do on their own.
In addition, when you learn how to wire a 3-way switch and make connections to multiple lights – you will save significant costs of electrician fees, and make a significant improvement to your home.
Ok, No more fumbling in the dark. This easy-to-follow 3-way wiring diagram – changing from a single-pole to a 3-way light switch, will allow you to turn on a 3-way light anywhere in your house.
How to Install a 3-way light switch
Learning how to connect a 3-way light switch is a little more involved than something simple, like installing an electrical box for an Electric Fireplace. However, the task can be simple enough – If you follow along with these instructions:
1) Purchase Materials:
- 3-way switch (2)
- 3-way wire (which has black, white, and red (coated) wires – and of course, a copper ground wire),
- electrical boxes of the appropriate size to hold 3-way switch and wire
- wire cutters and strippers
- standard electrical tape
- a non-contact voltage tester
- 3-Way light switch wiring diagram – See below.
Depending on the current setup and the fixture you’re wiring the switch into, you may also need some additional wire nuts to create secure connections to your home‘s existing wiring.
For the instructions below, we’re assuming that you are converting an existing 2-way switch to a 3-way version by changing the current single switch and adding a second one in another location nearby.
However, the basic principles also apply to replacing existing 3-way switches or if you are installing them in new residential construction.
2) Use the “3-Way Switch Diagram.”
Understand the basic circuit requirements by using this 3-way switch diagram.
Step 1: Turn the Power Off at Circuit Breaker
The first step in any electrical project is to understand the power source.
To respect that power source – make sure there is no electrical power going to the circuit you plan to work on. Be sure to identify the electrical circuit correctly you’ll be wiring into, and turn off the breaker at your home’s main electrical panel.
To make sure there’s no room for doubt, you can use a Non-contact voltage tester, such as this bestselling Voltage tester, to check whether there is power being supplied to the wires at the existing switch you’ll be working on.
You will expose yourself to enough generated electricity to cause harmful shock or even death, which is the most critical step in your project.
Ok – Have you Turned The Power Off to the Circuit Breaker you will be working on yet?
Step 2: Install the Correct Electrical Boxes
Before installing your new three-way switch, you’ll need to install an electrical box to accommodate it. Make sure the outlet box you choose is large enough, as 3-way switches usually require a bit of extra room due to their third wire.
For the same reason, there’s a good chance you’ll have to remove and change the box on the existing single-pole switch to make room for the additional wiring.
Once your boxes are in place, you can start installing and wiring the switches themselves. Refer to the above 3-way switch diagram
Step 3: Run New Cable (Romex) Between the 3- Way Switches
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. So what you should see if you have the correct 3-wire electrical cable (Romex) is a black (power), white (neutral), and now a 3rd (Red) wire.
This wire configuration is the 3-wire cable you must have to wire a 3-way light switch.
The exact cable you use depends on the gauge of the existing wiring in the rest of the circuit, but in most cases, the correct cable will be either 12-3 or 14-3.
Step 4: Make The Connections for 3-Way Switches (See 3-way switch diagram above)
- A) At the existing single pole light switch (the switch currently connected to the circuit breaker), remove this existing switch from the box. You will be replacing it with a new 3-Way light switch. Wire nut the neutral (white) wires together.
- This is the existing White neutral wire coming into the box and the New white neutral wire from the 3-wire Romex you will use to connect the other 3-way switch – you will install it in a minute. This first step will eventually send power directly to the Light fixture.
- B) Connect the Black (hot) wire (coming from the Romex cable that leads to your circuit panel) to your New 3-way light switch (#1) – you will connect the hot wire to the hot terminal on the 3-way switch, which is usually Black and stands alone).
- C) Connect the traveler (red & black) wires from the new 3- wire Romex cable to the two traveler screw terminals at the top of 3-way switch #1, the first switch. Keep in mind that the traveler terminals for red & black wires are universal and will work regardless of which one the traveler wire is connected to.
- Finally, attach the existing copper ground wire to the 3-way light switch #1.
- D) Repeat this process with the other 3-way switch (#2) using the same 3-wire Romex cable you just connected to switch #1. The only exception here is that the black wire from the Light fixture will now connect to the standalone hot terminal on switch #2 – this common black wire will send power to the light fixture from the circuit breaker.
- E) Lastly, If your light fixture isn’t wired yet, connect the light fixture to the 2-wire Romex (black and white wires only), which leads to your new 3-way light switch #2, and you should have completed your 3-way light switch circuit.
Note: If your 3-way light switch #2 is connected between the power supply and the light fixture, as is most common, the existing 2-wire (black and white) Romex can still be used to connect a 3-way switch #2, and the light fixture.
Make sure all of your Ground connections are completed and securely fastened.
Step 5: Finish and Test Your Work.
Now that you have wired the switches to each other and the light fixture, it’s time to do some finish work and test the circuit. Before turning the power back on, wrap a piece of black electrical tape around the white wires if you used them as travelers.
By convention, the white wire in a 3- wire cable is neutral, and it’s essential to indicate that the wire is hot for yourself or anyone else who may someday need to work on the switches.
Note: The white wire that runs to the fixture should be marked similarly to avoid confusion.
Final Step: Test Both 3-Way Switches
Now you have to screw the switches to the boxes, put the faceplates on, and restore power to the circuit. Test the switches to be sure they work. If you have trouble, turn the power off before inspecting the wiring connections or troubleshooting.
To troubleshoot the 3-way switch light switch – first, turn the power off. Then, trace your way back to each wiring connection and confirm all wires are correctly connected and that all the wire connectors and screw terminals are tight.
Once you have completed this step, your 3-way light switch wiring should be completed.
For all of you “Visual Learners” out there – and anyone else – we recommend watching this short Video, How to wire a 3-way switch:
Optional Installation Method: Wiring “Multiple Lights” on a 3-way switch
The steps above describe installing a 3-way switch and provide a 3-way switch diagram utilizing one light fixture.
If you intend to add multiple lights with a 3-way switch – Use the 3-way switch for multiple lights diagram:
Important Note About Your Safety:
Before you grab your toolbox and wire a three-way switch, a ceiling fan, or any other electrical work, be sure to take proper safety precautions. This type of electrical work isn’t overly complicated, but any electrical work can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Always be sure to work with the power turned off and to proceed with care and caution at each stage of an electrical project. If you aren’t sure you know how to proceed or aren’t comfortable doing the work safely, it would be a good idea to hire a professional electrician to do this job instead.
Also, be sure to check the type of wiring in your home. These instructions are offered for installing switches using standard Copper wiring.
Some homes, however, do use aluminum wiring instead. If your house has aluminum wires, it’s generally best to hire a professional to do your electrical work.
Looking to warm up your Patio or Garden this Year? Check out the Top 5 Best Gas Fire Pit Tables!
Thanks for visiting BestHomeGear.Com, and Best Success on Your Home Wiring Project!
References & Additional Reading
- 4-Way Switch Wiring Diagram – Electrical101.com
- Squeaky Stairs In Your Home? – BesthomeGear.Com
- How To Use a Voltage Tester – WikiHow.Com
- How to Repaint Kitchen Cabinets – BestHomeGear.Com
- Top 7 Best Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums You Can Buy – BestHomeGear.Com
