The second drawing depicts when box 1 has three bundles of wire while box 2 has just one. It's the simple three-way circuit I anticipated and encountered in my home. The first is an outline of what you should see. Topics Home - Switches The Differences of 3-way Switches and Single Pole switches Single pole switches are most commonly used in home lighting circuits to control one or more lights or fixtures from a single location, such as the entrance to a room. All those switches, terminals and wires can confuse experienced electricians, let alone novice DIYers. The Differences of 3-way Switches and Single Pole switches. It isn't uncommon either to have one three-way switch in the same box as two or even three others. One of your electrical boxes might have just one bundle of wires while the other is packed with three bundles. This scenario tends to happen with switches in older homes. For instance, there may not be any white wires. The wiring you see may not match what I've described. The wires here connect this local switch to the other in box 1 across the room. A second bundle (four-wire) should contain three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare). These link the switch to your light fixture. One three-wire bundle will have two colored wires (black, white) plus one of bare copper. Besides their direction of entry the wires are constructed the same way. Here, both wire bundles should enter the electrical box from its top side. They connect the switch in this box to the other switch in box 2.īox 2. The other 4-wire bundle will enter the box from the top and have three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare) one. A 3 way dimmer controls a light with two switches from different locations. These wires come from your home's main electrical panel (usually in the basement below) and provide power to your lighting circuit. A standard single-pole dimmer switch controls a light from one location. This three-wire bundle should consist of two colored wires (black, white) plus one of bare copper. In box 1, one of the wire bundles enters the box from the bottom. It will help you deduce their origin and ultimately identify them.īox 1. If so then the direction wires enter each box is important. Let's call each box "Box 1" and "Box 2." We'll also assume that, like mine, the boxes you're working inside are on a floor above the basement. Inside each of the two electrical boxes you should see two bundles of wires. This step-by-step is reflective of a common wiring scenario and the one in my own home. I must stress that there are many possible ways a set of three-way light switches can be connected. You may be surprised with what you have overlooked.You should now have a good view inside each box. Take a look at the switches in your home. The on-off can change depending on the position of the second three-way switch. Single pole switches, with one switch controlling one light, are marked with an “on” and “off ” position.Ī three-way switch has no marking because there is no consistent on or off position. Here is the quick tip: You can identify the type of switch by looking at the marking on it. You may not care about the details, but you should care about the switches and what they control. Electricians call this a three-way switch, and it takes a smart electrician to wire this properly. The name relates to switching the power line back and forth, and having an extra wire and connector. Sometimes it’s up/switch off, and sometimes up/switch on. Why are the two light switches that control one light fixture called a three-way switch? You know – the kind with a switch at both the top and the bottom of the stairs. Home systems have some strange terminology.
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