How to wire a 3 way switch
Safety
Working with electricity can be life threatening.
Consequently, when installing a 3 way light switch make sure you first turn
power off to the feed line that will power the 3 way light switch. The feed
line should be turned off at the circuit panel.
Instructions
for Installing 3 way Light Switch
Step 1:
Run a feed cable to the first light switch from the bottom of the switch
box. This is effectively the power feed coming from the circuit panel.
Step 2:
Run another cable, known as the traveler between the first switch and the
light fixture.
Step 3:
Run another traveler cable from the light fixture to the second switch.
Find a Qualified Residential Electrical Contractor in Your Area Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
Step 4:
A three way switch has a common terminal at the bottom and two traveler
terminals at the top. Consequently it is wise to have the traveler cables
come in from the top of the switch boxes.
Step 5:
At the first 3 way switch box, wire the black feed line to the common
terminal which is on the bottom right.
Step 6:
Next wire the black traveler wire (which is referred to as a “hot” wire
since power is running through it) to the top right traveler terminal using
a screwdriver.
Step 7:
Next wire the red traveler wire (again a “hot” wire) to the left traveler
terminal.
Step 8:
At the first switch box, attach the 12-3 white wire “neutral wire” to the
12-2 feed neutral wire with wire nuts.
Step 9:
Again, at the first switch box, connect the bare copper ground wires
together using lineman’s pliers. Twist the copper wires together several
times and add a copper crimp tube over them.
Step 10:
At the light box, again connect the bare copper ground wires together using
lineman’s pliers. Twist the copper wires together several times and add a
copper crimp tube over them.
Step 11:
At the light box, connect the red wires together with a wire nut.
Step 12:
Again, at the light box connect together with a wire nut the black wire
coming from the first 3 way switch box, and the white wire coming from the
second 3 way switch box. Since you are connecting a black “hot” wire to a
white wire that is typically neutral it is important to mark this white wire
as now “hot”. To do this, attach a piece of black electrical tape on each
end of the white wire that you connected to the black wire.
Step 13:
At the second 3 way light switch attach the white wire (with the black tape
on it indicating it is now used as a “hot” wire) to the top right traveler
terminal.
Step 14:
At the second 3 way light switch attach the red wire to the top left
traveler terminal.
Step 15:
Again at the second 3 way light switch, connect the black wire to the lower
right common terminal.
Step 16:
Again at the second 3 way light switch, connect together the bare copper
ground wires. Twist the copper wires together several times and add a copper
crimp tube over them.
Step 17:
With the circuit wired up you should be left with at the light box a white
wire end (neutral wire) that comes from the first switch box, a black wire
(hot wire” that comes from the second switch box, and a bare copper ground
wire (associated with the twisted copper wires coming into the light box
from the two Romex cables.). These three wires then connect to the light
fixture. The ground wire connects to the light chassis, and the black wire
end to one of the light fixture terminals, and the white wire end to the
other light fixture terminal. Once you have wired the light fixture attach
it to the light box.
Step 18:
Secure the 3 way switches into their switch boxes and attach face covers.
Step 19:
Power up the switch circuit, back at the circuit breaker panel box. Next,
test the light. If you followed these instructions perfectly you should have
a properly working 3 way light switch.
How to prevent electric shock.
Working with electricity can be dangerous as electrical shocks can injure and even kill you. Consequently it is important that you exercise some important safety precautions to prevent electrical shock. Chief amongst them is to first turn off power to the electrical circuit you plan on working on at the main circuit breaker panel. Furthermore, place a piece of electrical tape over the turned off circuit breaker to warn anyone that you have purposely turned power off to the circuit. In addition to turning power off to the electrical circuit at the main circuit panel, it is also important to confirm that the power is indeed off at the electrical box itself using a neon bulb tester or multimeter. Occasionally more than one circuit breaker can be feeding power to an electrical outlet or light switch, and thus to prevent electrical shock it is just as important to verify power is off at the electrical box itself. If you need to use a ladder when working on electrical wiring never use an aluminum ladder, as aluminum is a good conductor of electricity. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder instead. Always wear a pair of good rubber soles shoes as rubber is also a poor conductor of electricity. When it comes to tools, always use screwdrivers and pliers that have insulated handles. Avoid working on electrical circuits in wet or damp areas. Where it cannot be avoided wear rubber boots and gloves. Also, make sure your hands and gloves are dry prior to inserting your hands into an electrical box or appliance. Finally, when working in a wet or damp area, make sure any electrical power tools are plugged into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. GFCI’s are designed to quickly turn power off to a circuit if they sense the slightest loss of current in the circuit, thus preventing life threatening electrical shock.
Why circuit breakers tripping
Tips for Troubleshooting a Tripped Circuit Breaker.
Circuit breakers are designed to protect you and your home from electrical shock and electrical fires. When either too much electric current, or a sudden loss of current, is sensed by the circuit breaker it trips, which in effect shuts of electricity to the electrical circuit. If an electrical circuit did not employ the use of a circuit breaker, and an electrical short was somehow created in the circuit, either the electrical wiring could heat up until it potentially caused an electrical fire or someone could be electrocuted when they came in contact with the circuit, e.g. turning on a faulty grounded electrical appliance. A circuit breaker can trip for several reasons. The electrical circuit can be overload, there is a ground fault or short circuit condition, or there is loose wiring. The most common cause for a circuit breaker tripping is the circuit is overloaded. When a circuit breaker trips, think about all of the appliances that may have been running on the circuit when it tripped. Try turning them off and resetting the circuit breaker. If the circuit remains on after resetting it, try turning on all of the appliances again to see if the circuit breaker trips again. If it does, use fewer appliances simultaneously or move some of the appliances to different circuits. Never replace a circuit breaker with a higher current rating. An electrical circuit breaker is selected based on the rating of the electrical wire used in the circuit. By installing a higher current rating circuit breaker you run the risk of overheating the electrical wires and causing an electrical fire. A short circuit condition is a more serious and more difficult problem to troubleshoot.
A short circuit occurs when a hot wire (Black or Red) comes in contact with another hot wire or a return wire. They can also be caused by a break in the electrical circuit wiring. When you suspect a short circuit as the culprit to your circuit breaker tripping, check all of the wires associated with the appliances plugged into the outlets on the circuit. Check for melting or burnt wires. Also remove appliances from the circuit by unplugging them. This exercise will help to determine if it is an appliance that is shorting out or the home electrical wiring itself. Also look at the outlets and switches for any dark discoloration. Also smell them for smoke. If you still cannot find the short, call an electrician. The other condition that could be causing a tripped circuit breaker is a ground fault. In a ground fault condition the hot wire has come in contact with a bare copper wire (ground wire) or the side of a metal appliance or electrical box. Check for a ground fault condition as you wood for a short circuit condition. Photo by Mark Donovan A tripped circuit breaker can also be the result of a loose wire. To troubleshoot this type of condition, remove all appliances from the outlets on the circuit to isolate the problem either to the house electrical circuit or one of the appliances. If the circuit breaker no longer trips after removing all the appliances, plug them back in one at a time to see which appliance is the culprit. If the circuit breaker continues to trip after removing the electrical appliances you may want to check the wiring on each outlet to make sure there are no loose wires, wire nuts or terminal screws. Again, you may want to call an electrician at this point.
Circuit breaker and panel
An electrical circuit breaker plays an important in your home. It is a safety mechanism for preventing too much current from flowing throu an electrical circuit. Circuit breakers reside in m circuit breaker panels within your home. Main circuit breaker panels are usually found in basements, garages or utility rooms. How a Circuit Breaker Works When more current flows through a wire than w it is rated for it heats up. The wire can get so ho that it actually can cause a fire. unately the circuit breaker can prevent this ation from occurring, by shutting off the power he circuit when too much current begins to flow ough the circuit. advantage of a circuit breaker over its decessor, the fuse, is that it can be reset after it been shut off (or tripped). understand circuit breakers you first need to understand what a circuit is. A circuit is a loop that tains various loads and switches on it, such as lighting, stereo equipment, refrigerators, stoves, se loads are connected into the circuit via electrical outlets and are controlled by switches in so es. There are many electrical circuits within your home. As a matter of fact each circuit breaker in main circuit breaker panel represents a unique circuit. Circuit breakers are installed in series with a circuit. When too much current flows through the wire, due to either too many loads on the circuit, or a faulty load that causes a short circuit, the circuit breaker recognizes this increase of current and immediately is tripped. When it is tripped, the power is shut off to the circuit. When a circuit is tripped, it is important to figure out what caused it to trip. Usually it is associated with too many loads being turned on simultaneously, such as multiple power tools, or even hair dryers operating simultaneously. Sometimes, however it can be a faulty appliance. Once you have figured out the cause and eliminated it from the circuit, for example unplugging some of the loads, or the faulty load from the wall outlet, you can then reset the circuit breaker to restore power to the circuit. There are also ground fault circuit interrupter type circuit breakers (GFCI circuit breakers) for use in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and other areas where there might be water or high moisture levels. They are designed to trip under the slightest rapid current change to prevent serious or life threatening shock.
How to install circuit breakers.
Installing a circuit breaker, or replacing a circuit breaker, requires taking the utmost in safety precautions. Included in the circuit panel box is the main circuit breaker that feeds electricity to the various lower amp rated circuit breakers in the box.
When installing a circuit breaker always start by turning off the main circuit breaker to the panel. This way power to all of the other circuit breakers in the electrical box are un-powered and safe to touch. This said, you don't want to touch the big metal nodes associated with the main circuit breaker as they are still live, even with the main circuit breaker turned off.
Also, before removing a circuit breaker, check what type it is and find a replacement one at your local home improvement center. Make sure to not only get the right physical type circuit breaker but also the same amperage rating as the one you plan to replace in your main circuit panel box.
Once you've turned off the main circuit breaker you can remove the gray circuit breaker panel cover to expose all of the breakers. There are usually 4 screws, one in each corner of the cover, that need to be removed. Make sure to use an insulated handled screwdriver when removing these screws. After removing the screws carefully remove the panel cover from the main circuit panel box.
Now pull the circuit breaker you want to replace from the bus bar. You'll notice a wire attached to it. It is typically black or red, which signifies that it is a hot wire. Again, use an insulated handled screw driver to disconnect the hot wire from the breaker. You'll also see a white wire and a bare copper ground wire associated with the hot wire, however you can leave these alone as they are not attached to the circuit breaker.
Next, using your screw driver attach the hot wire to the replacement circuit breaker. Make sure the screw is fastened tightly to the wire.......
