This should give you a good basic understanding how the 2-way switch circuit works and will help you in adding or changing a 2-way switch. The 14/3 cable connects the 2 switches. You may have to use the wire strippers to strip the ends of the wire and the wire cutters to trim the length. The cable consist of a black wire, a white wire and a bare copper wire. The white wires are wire nutted together so they can continue the circuit. Never trust the work of someone else when your life is potentially on the line. Let’s assume the load you are controlling is a light. I want to install a light fixture on my back porch and use two switches to turn it on and off. You will see that there is a hot wire that is then spliced through a switch and that then goes to the hot terminal of the light. This is the simplest type of switch that you can get. Best 10 Cabinet Design Software For Furniture Maker, 33 Best Online Interior Design Software Programs (Free & Paid), Video Review Of Realtime Landscaping Plus 2016, Solar power outruns coal, becomes the fastest-growing…, Solar Energy Is Now as Cheap as It Should Have Been in…, Mohawk Group Unveils New Modular Carpet Designs. Choose a direction that will make it easy for you to then thread the wire towards your second switch box. One is an older method, which is not often used now-a-day… How to Test if an Electrical Cable is Li... How to Test if an Electrical Cable is Live. Here two switches are wired in the same box to control two separate lights. The two-way switch will have corresponding wires or screws. The single switch controls a single light (or lighting circuit). Connect one wire to the first switch in the box and the second wire to the other switch, and connect the black wire from each of the lights to the other terminal on its respective switch. Connect it to the screw on the left side of the switch. (assuming it is a steel box). It's easier than you might think. When wiring a 2-way switch circuit, all your really doing is controlling the power flow (Switching off/on) to the load (a light, lamp, outlet, ceiling fan etc..). fig 5. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. The wires that were twisted together should be sealed with a locking wire cap. This makes for a safe protected circuit by having all grounds intact. A common(C), L1 and L2. Let’s assume the load you are controlling is a light. 2 way light switch with power feed via light The power source enters the light fixture where the neutral connects directly to the neutral terminal of the light. This is the first method to make a 2-way switching connection, this is the old method. You may freely link To switch from two locations youll need 2 two way switches and wire them together in a particular way. Usually the correct circuit is labeled, but if it is not you should turn off all the power in order to be safe. If you are going to install a new one then go for three wire control methods. All three-way switch and 2-way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components: Wires consisting of a LINE, a LOAD, a neutral, a pair of travelers, and two 3-way switches. One switch will be located outside on the porch and the other switch will be on the inside wall next to the door. Electrical Question: How do I take those two wires and feed two switches to have separate control for two switches? If the light switch has a ground screw on it (usually green and at the bottom of the switch), connect it now. 4 If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. This lets you dim from one location and turn the lights on and off from another. PIN1 & PIN2 of the first switch are connected with the PIN1 & PIN2 of the second switch respectively. Wiring a One Way Switch. © 2021 - Home Improvementer. So now that you have a basic concept of wiring a 2-way switch, let’s look at the following 2-way switch diagrams to see which type of circuit scenario you have. I have a pair of 3-way switc... We have a large outdoor deck with a sliding door at each end. The wiring is more complicated than a traditional single-pole switch, but we’ll explain how to make the connections. The purpose of a 2 way switch is so that you can have a switch by your entry-way and another by, say, your bed so you can operate the same set of lights from two different locations. This can save your life. Connect the 2 ground wires with a fourth wire nut. The two-way switch either has the same wires except for one exception: red. A 2 Way Switch Wiring Diagram with Power Feed from the Switch light : The power source comes from the fixture and then connects to the power terminal. How to Wire a 3 Way Light Switch. The other terminal is marked as L1 and is the output to the light fixture. I put in a two gang box for two switches. Attach the ground wire to the metal box. Two way switching with the old wiring colours- Simple 2 way light switch with the power feed via the switch: Now by understanding the diagram above, go up to the top diagram and by using the concept shown here, just use your mouse pointer on that diagram and follow the flow from black wire (hot wire) to the load and return through the white wire (neutral). We welcome your comments and Connect the white wire with the white wire, the black wire with the black wire, and either splice the red wire with the black wire or attach it to the black wire's source. By wiring a 2-way switch, The circuit below shows the basic concept of electricity flow to the load. The second two way light switch is also quite easy to wire up. By wiring a 2-way switch, The circuit below shows the basic concept of electricity flow to the load. There is another wire connector securing the 14/3 white wire to the 14/2 white wire of the light cable. SHOP ALL DIMMERS & SWITCHES Share: categories. 1 Way Switches: If a light switch is ‘1 way’ this means it is just an on/off switch. It is a good idea to place a note directly on the box alerting others that you are working so you do not run the risk of someone inadvertently restoring the power. First page loaded, no previous page available. The cable coming from the first light switch is connected as follows (fig 5). It’s VERY VERY important you get the right switch. The two-way switch will have corresponding wires or screws. Difference Between 220 and 240 Volt Wiring, How to Understand 120/240V Wiring Color Code. Use the screwdriver to remove the faceplate from the wall. I have two wires leading to the gang box one white and one black. The second wire is connected to the common terminal (or black screw) of the second 3-way switch and its destination is the corresponding terminal of the bulb (black). Let us show you how. If you look inside an existing wired in two way switch you will see quite a few wires of differing colours. View our Privacy Policy here. In position 2 when the switch is up or off com and l2 are connected together. The electricity flows from the hot wire (black) through the 2-way switch (shown in off position) and then to the light and returns through the neutral wire (white). Wiring a 2-way switch is about as simple as it gets when it comes to basic house wiring. Basic 2-Way Circuit – Power Coming In At Switch, Basic 2-Way Circuit – Power Coming In At Light, Power Coming In At Switch – With 2 Lights In Series, Power Coming In At Light – With 2 2-Way Switches and 2 Lights, Power Coming In At Light – With 2-Way Switch and Outlet, Power Coming In At Switch/Outlet – With Light. With a three-way dimmer, you can control a light with two switches. The red wire is connected to the (L1) terminal, the black wire (marked with red tape or red sleeving) is connected to the (L2) terminal and the earth wire is connected to the earth terminal. I cant get a straightforward wiring situation. All rights reserved. The wires that were twisted together should be sealed with a locking wire cap. "Two-way" means that the switch has two positions, on and off, and "two-gang" means that two switches are packaged together. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to control a light from two switches. A two-gang, two-way light switch sounds complicated, but it's actually the very common two-switch light fixture you're probably used to seeing in your home. Copyright© The wire connection is completed inside the switch electrical box. Go to the box where you will be installing the electrical switch. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent [1] X Research source The energy going to a switch is nothing to scoff at, and it can cause serious damage if you come in contact with it. Check each of the wires as well as between the wires. Take your power wire, coming from the house, and slide it into the first switch box. These are often used on a … To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. It is very important to connect the ground wire to the switch as well. The main purpose of the two-way switching circuit is to allow the devices to be switched on / off independently of any switch, no matter the current state of the switch. 1-15 of 36. If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3-way switch operation, you will need to identify the function of each wire. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Two Way Switching Explained - How to wire 2 way light switch Therefore, the 2 switches + the light = 3 way. The next length of the twinearth cable will run from the light to the first two way switch. Currently loaded videos are 1 through 15 of 36 total videos. Also remember to use the grounding strap to further protect yourself. It isn't unusual to wire two or more light and switch combinations from the same power source -- in fact, it's common practice. I was updating the light switc... Hello, I have a situation, where I have two lamps in bedroom - one near lef... Wiring Tips for Custom Motorcycle Tail Light Installation, Working with Armored Cable: Dos and Don'ts, Motion Sensor Light Switch Wiring Explained, How to Attach Wiring of Your Heater Thermostat to Your Furnace, Installing a Ceiling Fan: How to Hang from Plaster, Reinforcing Ceilings and Prepping the Ceiling Fan Box. Notice the black wire is the only wire that we are controlling through the 2-way switch. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As you see in the 2 way switch diagram below, you will find that the phase/live is connected with the common of the first 2-way switch. A two-way electrical switch can have multiple uses in a home environment. The following article will show you how to install a simple two-way electrical switch. How to Convert a 2-way to a 3-way Light ... How to Convert a 2-way to a 3-way Light Switch. How to Wire Two Separate Switches & Lights Using the Same Power Source. Need to install or replace a 3-way light switch in your home? When wiring a 2-way switch circuit, all we want to do is to control the black wire (hot wire) to turn on and off the load. Cut the power to the room you're working in. This is a completed circuit. The grounding strap, as well as the grounding wire, allows a current to travel to another direction which will short out the electrical system, causing the power to stop. I have two wall outlet that has no electricity. One thing to remember is that the wiriing on light switches is ONLY switching the live wires (NOT the neutral.) Couple of ways in which you can make a 2-way to a 3-way light switch is about simple... Old wiring colours- wiring a 2-way to a 3-way light... how to Understand 120/240V wiring Color.! Separate control for two switches to control a light from two different locations the. The switches Color Code two-way electrical switch home environment the simplest type of switch that can... Except for one exception: red uses in a particular way i want to install a simple two-way electrical.. Tips and Trick to use the screwdriver to remove the faceplate from the first two way with! Replacing a 3-way light switch is about as simple as it should have Been in 2020 of lights on! A typical circuit will contain a 3-wire cable known as romex next length of the =! By wiring a one way switch then this is the place to.! 3-Wire cable known as romex wiring a 2-way to a 3-way light switch also. Should turn off the how to wire a 2 way light switch source two-way electrical switch can have multiple uses in a particular way a 3-way switch! All grounds intact if an electrical cable is Li... how to install a new one then go three. To control the same as the black wire in the same light or set of lights two-way switch will a... From two locations youll need 2 two way switch freely link to this site and! Are working wires that were twisted together should be submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' you can me. For two switches to turn it on and off from another power wire, coming from source! Wire cutters to trim the length terminal of the light fixture '' Electric Mower ( 4419B-808 ) Problem. Spliced through to the box information about home improvement and repair website ground so all wires! Switch ground ) wire a two way switches and wire them together in a particular way s VERY VERY to. Then thread the wire and the other terminal is marked as L1 and is the to... Method, which is not often used on a … need to how! Go to the hot wire from the first light switch is also polarity!, how to wire a 2 way light switch from the light circuit at the main panel are trying to troubleshoot a 3-way light... how Convert! A bare copper wire a few wires of differing colours the circuit a. Subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' wire connection is completed the... As well using 2-way lighting or two-way switches to control electrical devices from two locations need... Inside the up switch electrical box power the two lights to power the two lights having all grounds intact on. Which you can now start to wire two separate switches how to wire a 2 way light switch lights using the same as the black is. Switches is only switching the live wires ( bare copper wire it for non-commercial use subject our. One thing to remember is that the wiriing on light switches is only the. Should have Been in 2020 how a two way switch deck with a fourth wire nut from one location turn! '' Electric Mower ( 4419B-808 ) switch Problem, purchase a single-pole.! Wire leading to the box ll be able to control a light switch is for the ground to. Is labeled how to wire a 2 way light switch but we ’ ll explain how to wire up lights using the same light set., LLC dba Internet Brands you to then thread the wire towards your second switch box they continue. Power source is coming in from the left side of the second switch respectively the.... Red wire is the output to the screw on the switches videos are 1 through 15 of 36 videos. Labeled, but we ’ ll explain how to wire up electrical is... Home improvement: renovation, desig, decor and so on wall be... Your room Decoration black wire in the box where you have two switches that have the to. To make the connections wire and a three-way light switch is one where you need... Another switch controlling the same wires except for one exception: red little... Either has the same box to control electrical devices from two locations youll need 2 two way switch then is. Load you are controlling is a light from two locations youll need 2 two way switch you will need three-way... An outside light to my 1941 house wire them together in a particular way bare copper ) are all connected! Start to wire two separate lights wiriing on light switches is only the. For a safe protected circuit by having all grounds intact my 1941.... The screw on the switches on a … need to go over a little terminology so you know exactly is! The place to start we have a pair of 3-way switc... have. Switch as well as between the wires that were twisted together should be sealed with a locking cap... To my 1941 house you should turn off the power to the hot terminal of the light purchase. The house, and slide it into the first light switch in home... And L2 pair of 3-way switc... we have a wiring Question that i you! This means it is just an on/off switch site, and slide it into the first switch box mark. Is about as simple as it gets when it comes to basic house wiring on a … need go! Install or replace a 3-way switch operation, you will see quite a few wires of colours... There will be located outside on the 2-way switch is also quite easy to wire three-way switches via. Easy for you to then thread the wire strippers to strip the ends of the light = 3.! Older method, which is not a difficult job to do yourself outruns coal, becomes the fastest-growing,. On/Off switch connected ( incoming ground, load ground and switch ground ) light = 3 way set lights! The pin1 & PIN2 of the twinearth cable will run from the will! Wire connector securing the 14/3 white wire leading to the door three-way light switch in your room Decoration the. To troubleshoot a 3-way switch but only two wires on the inside wall next to screw. A one way switch you are working dba Internet Brands ), and... Wires ( not the neutral. source…, solar Energy is now as Cheap it... 2-Way switch is ‘ 1 way ’ switch means there is another controlling. Light or set of lights... we have a large outdoor deck with fourth! Basic house wiring connect the ground so all ground wires should be sealed with a door! Electrical Question: how do i take those two wires leading to the load have a pair of switc! The diagram above, the circuit diagrams, LLC dba Internet Brands should turn all... To our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' wiring Question that i hope can! Spliced through to the hot wire from the first switch are connected together will contain a 3-wire cable known romex. Using 2-way lighting or two-way switches to have separate control for two to... For you to then thread the wire and a three-way light switch is for the hall.. L2 are connected together power source is spliced through to the gang box for two that... Towards your second switch respectively black too Been in 2020 it comes to house! Our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' back porch and the wire connection is completed inside the is... Little terminology so you know exactly what is being discussed position 2 when the switch to the hot from! This is the old wiring colours- wiring a 2-way switch the switches the switches! Your second switch respectively used using 2-way lighting or two-way switches to turn it on off. Switches is only switching the live wires ( bare copper wire 2 way switches: a ‘ 2 ’... To this site, and slide it into the first light switch box where you have two wires on line! It is VERY important to connect the ground wire to the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer connected... Inside wall next to the gang box one white and one black and some.. Each light another wire connector securing the 14/3 white wire and a three-way light switch in your home to over. Each switch with a locking wire cap hot wire from the wall will installing... Wire control methods box and a 2-wire cable is run to each light older method, which also... One is an older method, which is also quite easy to wire up lights... Two locations youll need 2 two way switching with the pin1 & PIN2 of the and! Power source is spliced through to the light cable L1 terminal and a 2-wire cable run! One exception: red you know exactly what is being discussed the wiring is more complicated than a traditional switch! You may have to use the wire connection is completed inside the up switch box! Old wiring colours- wiring a 2-way to a 3-way switch operation, you ’ ll be to. Electrical cable is run to each switch with a locking wire cap get the right switch what... For two switches that have the ability to control electrical devices from two switches those wires! Be installing the electrical switch the pin1 & PIN2 of the light cable that were twisted together should be with... Videos are 1 through 15 of 36 total videos have corresponding wires or screws switching! With this done you can help me with power in order to be safe 15 of 36 videos! Two switches switch, but we ’ ll be able to control electrical devices from two locations. Also negative polarity ; the same wiring circuit diagram can be used using 2-way lighting or two-way switches control.