Wiring for 3 way switch?

Question

Any info on how to run a 3 way switch with 2 switches at each end of the stairway. How do u do this?

Answer 1

You need a three conductor running between them. That does not count the ground wire. Each of the 2 three way switches have four screw terminals on them. The green one is for the ground. Of the other three, 2 are the same color, and one is different. Usually 2 chrome and one black( or brass). The odd color one is called the common, and is very important. One end gets the hot wire from the power source, and the other get the hot wire up to the light. the 2 chrome screws get the travelers.
Feed black and white into first box. Run black, white, red from first to second box. run black and white up to light fixture box from second switch box.
Splice whites through and cap. splice grounds through and connect to green screws on switches.
Put black feed on common in one box with black and red of three wire on other two terminals
In second box put black of two wire to light on common and the black and red on the chrome terminals and all is good.
There are other ways like if you have the feed and the switch leg(wire up to light) in the same box, but it is very hard to explain without a diagram.

VERY IMPORTANT:
You need 2 three way switches, one at each end.
Any one telling other wise does not know what they are talking about.
And never mark a hot wire with white tape, goes against all codes.
If you use a white wire as a hot then mark it black. if you use a black wire as a neutral then mark it white. NEVER MARK A HOT WIRE WHITE, people get killed that way.

Answer 2

http://www.electrical-online.com/default.htm

You will need 2 ea. 3 way wall switches.

Briefly, The common of one switch will hook to the hot wire. Then you will have two other wires called runners that run to the other switch and plug in there. The second common is connected to the hot lead to the light. The neutral wire is connected to the neutral on the light. Using romex 14/3 with grd is the wiring that you should use to run the switches together. good luck. If you need anything else, email me and I'll try and give you a hand.

Answer 3

Please learn what you are doing and keep safety in mind if you plan to do this yourself. Always check that the power is off before messing around.

You will need:

two 3-ways switches
your light fixture
enough wire of appropriate gauge (usually Romex 12 Ga or 14 Ga)
black electrical tape

some basic tools-including a multimeter for testing. You can get them for a few dollars at harbor freight tools or like 10$ at Sears.

Here is a site with a diagram and description:

http://www.electrical-online.com/extra-graphics/3wayswitch.htm

The 3 way switches also come with detailed instructions. They should answer all your questions.

one thing to note:

The black electrical tape is used to mark one of the white conductors in the Romex wire that is used as a "hot" connector- not the normal way. This is standard practice and part of the National Electrical Code. No one will die if you don't mark it (probably?) but it is recommended for safety's sake.

Answer 4

A 3 way setup
line in to one switch hot to single screw on first 3-way(connect red and black travelers) to the top 2 screws on this switch.

a 14/3 romax is ran between the 2 3-ways (this line is called travelers)

on the 2nd 3 way connect travelers to the 2 screws(top of switch) red one side black on the other

on same switch connect light load to the remaining screw(black to light fixture)


neutrals white to white

you can e-mail me and I can fax you a diagram of a 3 way set up

Answer 5

You mean one switch at each end of the stairs controlling one light. Easy, go to the web site. Don't forget to turn off the power before you start.

Answer 6

go to www.the-home-improvement-web.com/imformation/how-to/three-way-switch i have 4 diagrams from this site i use do wire all my three way switches. good luck. if you can't find them e-mail me and i will send them to you

Answer 7

how i do this is i call my step son or son in law to do it for me, then i go hide out till they are done and then we can go golf.

Answer 8

go to this link and it will give you step by step instruction and picture