Brilliant 3 Way Switch 2 Hot Wires
Then a 4 wire cable going between the two 3 way switches and then a 3 wire cable going from the switches to the load.
3 way switch 2 hot wires. Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches. Then remove the light switch panel to see where the power is going. If the switch box is metal it also must be pigtailed to the grounding wires.
You ll follow one set of directions if you see two black wires coming into the switch but another set if there s just one. I tested the other wires on the hot red to see which turn the light on and that s one of the black wires. In both cases install a larger electrical box and run a 3 way cable between the 2 boxes before you do the wiring.
The cable run linking the two switches is made with 3 wire cable. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation you will need to identify the function of each wire. Do this before you disconnect any wires from the switches.
At this first switch the black feed wire is connected to the common screw on the switch. A non contact voltage tester. 3 way light switch wiring diagram see below.
The grounding wire is connected both to the switch using a pigtail wire and to the second cable run passing onward to the next switch. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components. None are hot unless the other light switch is turned on in which one of the reds is hot.
I have a 3 way switch with 2 red wires and 2 black wires and a ground and trying to figure out which wire goes where. Add an electrical box for the second 3 way switch in the basement. 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 appropriate size to hold 3 way switch and wire.