Matchless Wiring 3 3 Way Switches
Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch.
Wiring 3 3 way switches. The wiring method will depend on whether your power goes to the switch first or the light first. This is the 3 wire cable which you must have to wire a 3 way light switch. The black wire from the other 3 way gets connected to the line black wire.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first and second 3 way switch together. The switches may be arranged so that they are in the same orientation for off and contrasting orientations for on. Electrically a typical 3 way switch is a single pole double throw spdt switch.
3 way switch wire diagram power to light fixture. By correctly connecting two of these switches together toggling either switch changes the state of the load from off to on or vice versa. Typical 3 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
Take a closer look at a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wire nut. 3 way switch diagram 2 above shows the electricity source starting at the fixture.
The black hot wire connects to the far right switch s common terminal. In this diagram power enters the fixture box. So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire.
Wiring diagrams for 3 way switches. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be. Diagram 3 above shows the electricity source starting at the right 3 way switch box.