Peerless Three Switches Control One Light
This is known as the common screw and it s usually black instead of brass or silver.
Three switches control one light. Double pole double throw dpdt switches allow control from three or more locations. It is used to control electrical equipment and appliances from two three or even more different locations by adding more intermediate switches. A simple ordinary on off light switch as in the first photo has two screws on it.
Probably the easiest solution to this problem is not dealing with the switches at all but simply installing a motion sensor light at the other end of the hallway so that there would be light in the hallway whenever anyone walks down the hallway from either end. One of the switches controls the lightbulb in the closet. In contrast to a simple light switch which is a single pole single throw spst switch multiway switching uses switches with one or more additional contacts and two or more wires are run between the switches.
Outside of the closet there are three light switches. It is also used in staircase wiring connection where a light point can be control from two or more different places. Wiring a four way circuit involves threading traveler wires carrying current among the switches ending at the light fixture.
Another dead giveaway of a three way switch is the absence of on and off markings. A three way light switch is different than a traditional single pole light switch as it contains an extra screw to connect an extra wire. First let s take a look at the back of several different light switches.
When the load is controlled from only two points single pole double throw spdt switches are used. The configuration is called four way because the middle switch in the circuit has four connecting terminals rather than the usual three found on most switches. It is used in large area rooms having two or more entry and exit doors and gates.
In a four way switch configuration three switches control a single fixture whether it is a light receptacle or other appliance.