When you pop off your light switch plate and peek inside-or examine a diagram of how 3-way switches work-you may wonder about the different colored wires, what the colors mean, what they’re supposed to connect to, and what to touch (and not touch). Houses built since the mid-1960s likely contain non-metallic sheathed cable (NM), commonly called Romex, after a popular brand of wire. Some homes may have 12-gauge wire rather than 14-gauge wire, which just means the wire is rated to carry more amps. Without a 14/3 wire, it wouldn’t be possible to have both switches control the light. The number of conductor wires in the different cables are important, because an extra wire is required in one section of the 3-way switch setup. The 14 stands for the gauge of wire (rated for 15-amp circuits) and the following number, 2 or 3, represents the number of conductor wires in the cable.
Two different types of wire cables are used in wiring a standard 3-way switch, most often 14/2 cable and 14/3 cable. Types of Wire Cable Used in 3-Pole Switches In essence, a 3-way switch is a toggle switch. However, they are not labeled “OFF” or “ON,” because they either allow or stop the electrical current based on the other switch position in the setup. Individual 3-way switches resemble single-pole switches.
A 3-way switch setup will even work with a dimmer switch, as long as the dimmer switch is designed for 3-way wiring. That’s just one instance in which 3-way switches (also known as 3-pole switches) are handy: These switches allow users to turn on a centrally located light from different sides of a room, or from the upper and lower ends of a stairway. It’s no fun to come home late at night and stumble to the other side of a dark room looking for the light switch. RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Voltage Testers What is 3-way switch wiring? Before you do anything else, always turn off the electricity at the breaker box, and use a voltage tester to test the wires in a switch box to make sure they’re not hot. Safety is always the top consideration when doing any wiring. If you’re not comfortable replacing a switch, call an electrician. If you’re contemplating such a replacement, you should have a working knowledge of switch wiring. Replacing a 3-way switch is a straightforward task, but it is more involved than replacing a single-pole switch.
While installing new electrical wiring should almost always be done by a licensed electrician, DIYers can successfully replace old switches with new switches, if local codes allow.
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