Nice video. Very clearly explained and demonstrated, but it would be helpful for those watching to see that they will need both 2-wire and 3-wire cables. The 3-wire cable has the additional red wire and is used only between the two switches as you correctly showed but didn't elaborate on. Also when shopping for cable, lights are wired in 14 gauge, so the packaging would indicate 14/2 (the second number indicates the number of wires in the cable but not including the ground) and 14/3 which would be used as the common between switches.
Not really. He only showed how to wire one setup. Switch-switch-light. What about other setups. Light-switch-switch or switch-light-switch. You know there are going to be people trying to wire by color matching. Or when you have to use the white wire from the 14/3 as a traveller, that'll confuse the sh*t out of some people.
This is the best explanation of how to wire a 3 way switch. I really appreciated you using real objects rather than drawings, much easier to follow, for me anyway. Thanks again!
You are a really good teacher. Even I understood everything you taught. Most people narrate their videos rapidly as though they’re talking to other electricians that already know how to do it. Thank you for the truly good tutorial 👍🏻👍🏻
With this guys help and communication skills I was able to wire a renovation to half my house. When I finished all wiring I installed all fixtures and went around checking everything and everything works perfectly. Outlets, multifunction and three way switches. After doing this I gained a much greater understanding of residential wiring. Thank you sir for your videos. I saved a lot of money and learned a lot.
This could be common sense but he forgot to mention that the cable that connects each box needs to have 4 WIRES (BLACK, WHITE , GROUND AND RED). I installed everything but I thought it was only a 3 wire cable that connects the box. I had to redo it. Live and learn.😅😊 Very good video by the way.
Fantastic video. Well edited. Best part was I messed with these two switches for a half an hour before thinking "hey, UA-cam". 5 minutes more and the problem was solved. Thanks.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. For sure the best explanation for 3 way switch install I could find. I was ready give up and call an electrician but this made it simple.
Very understandable for a complete layperson. I am in a design class and had a question on 3-way switches for my "Electrical Plan", which was does "the other side have a single switch plate" on the other end. Yes, your video answered my question - 3 way switch on both sides. There may be other ways, but all i need is the most common way. Thank you! We actually have one two at the top and bottom of our starts :)
Mike, great video on three way switch wiring I had three room remodels each with three way switches and every time after wiring they all worked perfectly. Thank You
Great video, but the one question I needed an answer to was the actual cable requirements. But, after looking closely, I found the cables needed. Thanks!
Doing a basement remodel,was having problems get the lights to turn on and off from both switches, after 20 videos found your with the same switches that I'm using. Correct the wires to what you were showing and bang work correctly thanks for your video.
Thank you for the great video. It helped me out terminately. I've been trying to figure out this whole 3 way Switch thing for about 2 weeks off and on and decided to go on UA-cam and figure it out. Your video had more detailed than the rest that I found along the way in matter of fact. I found out that I had wired up. The switch wrong and I did not have the correct switch Thank you for making this video as a UA-camr myself. This came in handy, thank you. Thank you thank you thank you
Thanks for the video. I have a light in my stairwell that has a switch at the bottom but just a box full of wires with a blank plate over it at the top of the stairs. I've been wondering if it's wired for a 3-way setup. There is a red wire in there. I'll need to investigate further but I'm hoping I can just install a new switch up there. I've nearly tripped more than once in the dark going down the stairs.
Mine is wired a bit different. One box I have power coming in - Black common and white capped off to the other set of wires. The other set goes directly to the light and the other box only has one cable with red, black, white and ground. I am confused on how to wire it. It seems everything is joined in the middle at the light.
Great video! Seems I screwed up installing a 3-way dimmer, as the non-dimmer 3-way at other location was basically acting a a single-pole and wouldn't turn the light on when the 3-way dimmer was off. I had the red wire on the common terminal. Simply swapped the black and red wire and was good to go!!! Thank you sir!
Love it 😊 but should i alwas do a loop on the swrew or just peel n stick it in u know how the switch has like a flaper that tights up or wat ? Wats better
Question, the travel terminal can be in any order right? Like for example the red and the black on the first switch doesn't have to be the same on the 2nd switch right?
Great video but I have 1 comment. On the second switch you should have placed the red traveler on the same side as the common (as done with switch 1) to be consistent. Then when both switches are in the up or down position the light will be on, when 1 is up, the other down the light will be off. I enjoyed how you ran through the steps without all the blah, blah, blah of other videos on youtube. Great job!
absolutely that's why I came in here he mixed up his traveler's ima certified electrician n you wouldn't believe how many 3ways I hada fix bc of mixed up travelers or missed place the wire that goes on the common screw just remember the common screw is your hot
Just stumbled onto this video. Awesome. Thanks. Might need an electrician for my nexg problem....I have a 3 way unfortunately, my light has 2 sets of wire comming out it from it Seems the switches are powered from 2 different breakers.....any suggestions?😮
I noticed that you have the switches in the same position when the light is off. That is the same way my dad always did it when he was in that trade many years ago. I have been in people's houses where the switch positions did not match. Is there a preference in the NEC? Personally I prefer to have the switches match when the light is off.
Wow... I started watching other "best explanation yet" of 3 way switch installation. . none was as quick and clear as yours.. .garbage pictures of actual wiring made it almost impossible to know which wire was coming from where. . .you need to understand the basics before you step up to actual installation. . like "how is this thing supposed to function". Your demo installation setup made this super simple. Thanks!
So is this the setup so you can turn a light on from either switch or do you have to turn switch one on befor you can use switch two? I am looking for the setup so either can turn on a light no matter what position the other is in.
Yes my problem is the switch is B. W wire only so need a switch end of long hallway help me please I am so not running for select job soon Thanks Lee Thornton
You paired with black common wire with red wire travel terminal on 1st switch...on the 2nd switch you paired black common wire to the light with black travel terminal.?
Certainly meets code for conductor extension beyond the box. Maybe you should show us how to stuff all of that, including the unnecessary sheathing, into a box??
I just replaced my switches at the top of my stairs, bottom of stairs and the mid section (split level entry house) . There is a 3 way switch for the entry light and is also jumped to a 2 pole switch for the porch light, there is a 3 way switch at the top of the stairs for the light and a 4 way switch at the bottom of the stairs. All the switches work fine BUT when I turn off the lights (not sure how long) the light won’t turn back on unless I reset the breaker BUT the breaker isn’t even tripped?? What is going on?? Please reply
There might be too many lights on that same feed. If they’re not LED lights then they’ll eat up a lot of power. Or whoever ran the wire might have just used wire that’s too small. More power needs bigger wires and a stronger breaker
Great video. Just wanted to mention that there are two different kinds of 3 way switches. One has a ground screw and the other doesn’t. The groundless switch grounds through the mounting screws and that is acceptable but the switch with ground screws is much safer so be aware of this when purchasing.
Nice video. Very clearly explained and demonstrated, but it would be helpful for those watching to see that they will need both 2-wire and 3-wire cables. The 3-wire cable has the additional red wire and is used only between the two switches as you correctly showed but didn't elaborate on. Also when shopping for cable, lights are wired in 14 gauge, so the packaging would indicate 14/2 (the second number indicates the number of wires in the cable but not including the ground) and 14/3 which would be used as the common between switches.
Agreed this is info some might need
6 months late, but let me say at least one person needed this info! Thank you very much
Exactly. A big waste of time.
Thanks for clearing that up!
Appreciate you adding the info, but I would also say if that isn’t obvious to people, I’d recommend they hire an experienced electrician.
i think the best 3 way switch video out there. Mainly because it is not 10 minutes long and doesn't need to be. THanks.
Not really. He only showed how to wire one setup. Switch-switch-light. What about other setups. Light-switch-switch or switch-light-switch. You know there are going to be people trying to wire by color matching. Or when you have to use the white wire from the 14/3 as a traveller, that'll confuse the sh*t out of some people.
I think the 1970's jazz prno music makes the 3way switch that much more exciting 🤠👍
This is the best explanation of how to wire a 3 way switch. I really appreciated you using real objects rather than drawings, much easier to follow, for me anyway. Thanks again!
Three-way switches had me confused. This video was so clear and exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. You're a wonderful teacher.
You are a really good teacher. Even I understood everything you taught.
Most people narrate their videos rapidly as though they’re talking to other electricians that already know how to do it.
Thank you for the truly good tutorial 👍🏻👍🏻
With this guys help and communication skills I was able to wire a renovation to half my house. When I finished all wiring I installed all fixtures and went around checking everything and everything works perfectly.
Outlets, multifunction and three way switches. After doing this I gained a much greater understanding of residential wiring.
Thank you sir for your videos. I saved a lot of money and learned a lot.
Many thanks for a simple and direct explanation. Was able to replace a faulty switch and it worked FIRST TIME!
3:16 make sure to place the wire from the 14-3 to the same terminals on either switch .
Thanks for this. Really helped me out. Sometimes people talk too much without keeping it concise
This could be common sense but he forgot to mention that the cable that connects each box needs to have 4 WIRES (BLACK, WHITE , GROUND AND RED). I installed everything but I thought it was only a 3 wire cable that connects the box. I had to redo it. Live and learn.😅😊 Very good video by the way.
❤😂🎉😂 0:03
Finally a clear understanding instructional video
Fantastic video. Well edited. Best part was I messed with these two switches for a half an hour before thinking "hey, UA-cam". 5 minutes more and the problem was solved. Thanks.
Thanks to your simple, patient explanation, I nailed the landing on the 1st try. Thank you
I was confused about connections to the light, now I'm very clear how to do it. Thank you, very good explanation.
Thanks, I wanted something not over complicated like the 20-min videos out there and well explained
Thank you for keeping it short and simple.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. For sure the best explanation for 3 way switch install I could find. I was ready give up and call an electrician but this made it simple.
Very understandable for a complete layperson. I am in a design class and had a question on 3-way switches for my "Electrical Plan", which was does "the other side have a single switch plate" on the other end. Yes, your video answered my question - 3 way switch on both sides. There may be other ways, but all i need is the most common way. Thank you! We actually have one two at the top and bottom of our starts :)
If I’m replacing a 3 wy switch, how do I know which wire is the connector to the other switch, and which goes to the light?
The wire going to the light needs to be on the black common screw
Short, concise, no bs. Perfect. Thank you
You are the man! I can't thank you enough! I wasted 3 hours trying to figure it out myself before remembering I'm youtube certified 😅
Great job. Every one else fails to show how the light wires . You had simple demo.
Mike, great video on three way switch wiring I had three room remodels each with three way switches and every time after wiring they all worked perfectly. Thank You
Great video, but the one question I needed an answer to was the actual cable requirements. But, after looking closely, I found the cables needed. Thanks!
Thank you for showing me what i was doing wrong, i finally got it working. Been needing to do this for 2 years.
For two years lol. Least u finally got it done good shit.
Isn’t the sheathing supposed to be cut all the way back from the inside the box?
Thank you was having some trouble until I watched your video
Doing a basement remodel,was having problems get the lights to turn on and off from both switches, after 20 videos found your with the same switches that I'm using. Correct the wires to what you were showing and bang work correctly thanks for your video.
I had a hallway switch not working right. Saw your video. I switched two black wires and now it’s working correctly. Thank you sir.
I installed my first 3 way today , was really fun looking at this good quality video. Yes I kept my traveler wires consistent. Thanks
thanks for doing this with the wall open! The way you've explained it, made it make sense
Out of all the vidsI watched I like yours better, you explained it very well, thank you so much have a good night!
Thank you so much for the very clear, short and simple step by step instructions.
This is exactly what I was looking for! A nice short, clear, concise video demonstrating and explaining. Very well done sir. Thank you!
Thank you for a clear walkthrough! Made life much simpler.
what to do if power and light are on one side ,
Thank you for the great video. It helped me out terminately. I've been trying to figure out this whole 3 way Switch thing for about 2 weeks off and on and decided to go on UA-cam and figure it out. Your video had more detailed than the rest that I found along the way in matter of fact. I found out that I had wired up. The switch wrong and I did not have the correct switch Thank you for making this video as a UA-camr myself. This came in handy, thank you. Thank you thank you thank you
This is one of the best 3-way switch wiring explanations and installation instructions on UA-cam. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. I have a light in my stairwell that has a switch at the bottom but just a box full of wires with a blank plate over it at the top of the stairs. I've been wondering if it's wired for a 3-way setup. There is a red wire in there. I'll need to investigate further but I'm hoping I can just install a new switch up there. I've nearly tripped more than once in the dark going down the stairs.
Thanks, very helpful and simpler than I thought it would be
Mine is wired a bit different. One box I have power coming in - Black common and white capped off to the other set of wires. The other set goes directly to the light and the other box only has one cable with red, black, white and ground. I am confused on how to wire it. It seems everything is joined in the middle at the light.
That was such a great explanation. Watched 20 other videos and they just made me confused even more
Thank you so much for making this so simple.
Best video on you tube! Some people over explain, this was right to the point
Simple and clear presentation, thank you!
Great video! Seems I screwed up installing a 3-way dimmer, as the non-dimmer 3-way at other location was basically acting a a single-pole and wouldn't turn the light on when the 3-way dimmer was off. I had the red wire on the common terminal. Simply swapped the black and red wire and was good to go!!! Thank you sir!
Good vid just confuse where u got the extra ground wire for light
Love it 😊 but should i alwas do a loop on the swrew or just peel n stick it in u know how the switch has like a flaper that tights up or wat ? Wats better
Clearly Explaining and Easy to Follow, Thank you 👍👍
Question, the travel terminal can be in any order right? Like for example the red and the black on the first switch doesn't have to be the same on the 2nd switch right?
On the 2nd 3-way switch does it matter if you place the red and black wires on either side?
Yes, you explained it very well. Thank you.
Outstanding work may God continue to bless you and your work, family 😅😊
That is the most simple explanation I have seen. Thank You
Great video but I have 1 comment. On the second switch you should have placed the red traveler on the same side as the common (as done with switch 1) to be consistent. Then when both switches are in the up or down position the light will be on, when 1 is up, the other down the light will be off. I enjoyed how you ran through the steps without all the blah, blah, blah of other videos on youtube. Great job!
And that was only thing he missed point out😀😀
Excelente 👍👏👏👏👏
Yup i caught that to.
absolutely that's why I came in here he mixed up his traveler's ima certified electrician n you wouldn't believe how many 3ways I hada fix bc of mixed up travelers or missed place the wire that goes on the common screw just remember the common screw is your hot
@@fivenightsatfreddysgameswo9689 or switch leg right
@@fivenightsatfreddysgameswo9689 could a mistake like this cause a fire?
Just stumbled onto this video. Awesome. Thanks. Might need an electrician for my nexg problem....I have a 3 way unfortunately, my light has 2 sets of wire comming out it from it Seems the switches are powered from 2 different breakers.....any suggestions?😮
How do you know which black wire goes to the light/common acrew if all that is hidden behind walls?
I noticed that you have the switches in the same position when the light is off.
That is the same way my dad always did it when he was in that trade many years ago.
I have been in people's houses where the switch positions did not match.
Is there a preference in the NEC?
Personally I prefer to have the switches match when the light is off.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, thanks to you I got done, thank very much.
Wow... I started watching other "best explanation yet" of 3 way switch installation. . none was as quick and clear as yours.. .garbage pictures of actual wiring made it almost impossible to know which wire was coming from where. . .you need to understand the basics before you step up to actual installation. . like "how is this thing supposed to function". Your demo installation setup made this super simple. Thanks!
? Do I need a junction box for every lights that I have? I have 4 lights.
Best vid for this on UA-cam. Well done.
Thanks!!! You made things simple and easy to understand. Wired my first 3 way switches today. Great video.
This video has really helped me finish my work. Thank you very much!!
You explained so well that make it soooo easy. Thanks.
How does this process work if the power is coming from the light?
Rumsey Contracting liked your demo.
Can I wire multiple lights in the same way? Just by running 14/2 wire in between each of the lights?
Yes
Great three-way switch light video.
So is this the setup so you can turn a light on from either switch or do you have to turn switch one on befor you can use switch two? I am looking for the setup so either can turn on a light no matter what position the other is in.
Either switch will turn the light on or off.
It looks like you added pigtails for the grounds on the switches, right? Took me a second to figure out where that 3rd GR wire came from.
Quick, concise video Mr. Handyman…nice job!
Yes my problem is the switch is B. W wire only so need a switch end of long hallway help me please I am so not running for select job soon Thanks Lee Thornton
Well explained, thanks , excellent video
You save my time thank you
A curious thought, can you wire two motion detector switches in tandem?
Best video ever ! Best explanation.
Great video brother thanks
You paired with black common wire with red wire travel terminal on 1st switch...on the 2nd switch you paired black common wire to the light with black travel terminal.?
Really good video thanks for your time
perfect video - thank you !
I don't believe you dawg.
Certainly meets code for conductor extension beyond the box. Maybe you should show us how to stuff all of that, including the unnecessary sheathing, into a box??
go easy its handyman not sparky, on the other hand that is important to mention.
This video is a lifesaver
That made it sound easy. Thanks!
just what I needed, thank you!
Nice video thank you
clear and concise. thank you
Clear and easy, thanks!
Great Video! Thank you!
Dude!, this was so helpful. Thank you!!
I don't have a red wire on my working 3 way switch. What's the deal here?
Simple and to the point.
Yes, but what if the light is coming out of the box that the power is also coming in???
Awesome!! I enjoyed this
Thank so must, you make so easy
I just replaced my switches at the top of my stairs, bottom of stairs and the mid section (split level entry house) . There is a 3 way switch for the entry light and is also jumped to a 2 pole switch for the porch light, there is a 3 way switch at the top of the stairs for the light and a 4 way switch at the bottom of the stairs. All the switches work fine BUT when I turn off the lights (not sure how long) the light won’t turn back on unless I reset the breaker BUT the breaker isn’t even tripped?? What is going on?? Please reply
There might be too many lights on that same feed. If they’re not LED lights then they’ll eat up a lot of power. Or whoever ran the wire might have just used wire that’s too small. More power needs bigger wires and a stronger breaker
Sweet! Thanks for the help!!
Amazing video, thank you :D
Great video. Just wanted to mention that there are two different kinds of 3 way switches. One has a ground screw and the other doesn’t. The groundless switch grounds through the mounting screws and that is acceptable but the switch with ground screws is much safer so be aware of this when purchasing.
Uh yeah I wouldn’t use a switch without a ground screw.
If you're using metal boxes that are grounded, the mounting screws for the switch will ground the switch.