

There will be a Com (common) terminal a L1 terminal and a L2 terminal. Two-way light switches are required for three way switching, these can be identified by looking at the terminals on the back of the switch. Earth wires have been omitted from all photo's and diagrams for clarity, but must be connected at all earth terminals. Three way switching is not as difficult as it first seems and should be pretty straight forwards if you follow the diagrams below. Here are several variations of using 3-way switches to control lights from two locations. Building regulations are changing all the time and modifying your home electrics could be against new rules and could invalidate your home insurance, if in doubt check first! If you are not 100% certain what you are doing call a qualified electrician. Please read the article on safe isolation procedures before doing any electrical work. Based on your comments, I need to put the timer on the switch on the right side of the diagram.
3 way switch diagrams how to#
Here is how to install it in place of an existing 3-way switch. You will also need two light switches that are "two way", these will have three terminals.Īll electrical pages are for information only! New rules have been introduced for electrical safety in the home, please read this document by clicking here, before starting any electrical workīefore working on any electrical circuit you must ensure that it is isolated correctly and cannot accidentally be switched back on. The instructions that came with it for replacing an existing 3-Way switch dont work. Conventional 3-way wiring is not very complex. This configuration is no longer allowed if the neutral is not present in each switch box. Ensure the electricity is isolated before working on any electrical circuit! For three way switching you need a special light switch with 4 terminals, this is called a intermediate switch and is easily identifiable. The alternate 3-way switch wiring configuration (California or West Coast) was used as a way to wire 3-way switches and be able to supply line voltage to either switch.
3 way switch diagrams software#
as you can have a switch at the bottom of the stairs and one at each end of the landing. Introducing Visual Paradigm Online, an online diagramming software that offers great Basic Electrical Diagram maker for creating professional. Here are step by step instructions on how to wire up a three way lighting circuit or to change a existing two way light circuit to a three way system, this is very useful on stairs etc.
