3 Way Switches Explained - How to wire 3 way light switch

Great three way electrical switch wiring.

A pay-wall for the PDF. Nice.

Not the switch I was talking about

On the two traveler wires why do you have to splice them? Just run them straigh to it. Just asking great video.

What is the difference between 2 way and 3 way switches?

Great!!! but what if I have multiple lights instead of one light? for lighting a hallway with three way light switch and 3+ spotlights.??

This is by far the best video on 3 way switches and how to hook up a 3 way switch when the power is coming from the light socket.

This solved a problem for me. Thank you very much!

Honestly, one of the best presentations I have ever seen on the internet. well done

Best explained video! Thank you !

Very cool demonstration. Little note, where I’m from only the first circuit would be legal as you now need a neutral wire in the switch boxes.

I have a question. I replaced a broken ceiling light that was controlled by two switches (a three way wiring). I installed the light but I think I might have switched the two wires that connect to the fixture (they were both white and unmarked) Now the fixture only works if both light switches are turned on and only one switch at a time can turn the light on and off. I'm trying to figure out if one of the outlets went bad or if I accidentally switched the wires to the light fixture and caused this problem. Everything was working fine before I replaced the light fixture. The light fixture is located between the two light switches. I did not change the wiring to the switches. I only replaced the fixture.

For type 3 of your wiring, if I need to install a dimmer switch that requires another neutral wire, what should I do ?

THANK YOU! Sure helped me out of a pickle!

Beautifully explained

I have a three wire coming in as the hot... need to figure it out.

Fantastic video!

Hahahah

Can the white wire with the black type just be a black wire? If not, why?

This is the best 3 way switch video by far

Does anyone know if you can do the 3rd circuit with only 14-2 cable ? Or can I just feed a single red wire from switch one to switch two ? Idk man someone help

Excellent explanations and graphics examples! Well done. Thank you.

Awesome explanation!!

Thanks for your help 👍

Great video thanks a ton! I was wondering if there was any reason we use white wiring with black tape in the final configuration (light, switch, switch).

how does one download the pdf?

I agree with everyone else that this is amazing and super helpful!!! So I tried this, I have a new 15amp circuit going to a switch then to 10 lights all in a straight line down a hallway, to the final / second switch. I wired everything up per the video and turned on the breaker and got nothing! So I checked all my wago connectors and double checked I was following the video diagram exactly and still nothing. Any thoughts?

Now I just need to figure out which switch style I have. We are trying to have 3 switches power 1 set of lights.

im a little confused arent the two circuits the same except you just extended the cables on the second one? why do you use a white wire with ends marked black as opposed to a black wire?

Why not just use white as a traveler for circuit 2?

Great explanation because you actually show the inner workings of the switch itself .

Going for multiple light run in garage with switch at the door and a second switch at the garage door. I watched and then drew it out on paper. I feel like I got it and understand what's happening. Thanks for the color coded description, it really helped.

Great video
Thank you!

can you make a new updated video based on current code and the latest switch types etc?

Awesome explanation! Thanks you so much.

Hello, interesting. Thanks. However I would love to know if u can do a tut on three or more switches instead of two. Once again thanks.

While this video is now four years old, it's still the best I've found to describe various 3-way switch circuits. Thanks for sharing your knowledge/expertise!

Best video that explained it as easy as possible

What is the purpose for the wire connectors?

🔥🔥🔥

Thanks to this video I was able to fix the 3 way switch in my master bedroom. Previous homeowners somehow had it wired to only power on if both switches were "up" position.

I watched other videos but this has been the best explanation. The green current flow and the metal inside the switch really helped!

Question: when wiring multiple lights in the circuit, do you need to use 3-wire cable to connect them all to each other, or can you just use 2 wire cable for that?

You need to have a neutral in every switch box location

Incredibly helpful information and the visuals were perfect!

As an experienced electrician who just never deals with 3 way switches in my line of work, this is exactly what i needed. Just an explanation of what the travelers are doing without all the extra fluff.

This is an impeccable demonstration. No one on the internet could have explained it better than this one. You have a new subscriber.

Fantastically illustrated and explained. The VERY BEST video on this topic. Many thanks!

Why not just make the red and white travelers so u never have to tape the white wires black, that’s what I do