How To Wire A 3 Way Light

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6 жыл бұрын

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Shannon from www.house-improvements.com shows you how to wire a 3-way light switch. This is a scenario where you have 2 light switch locations that control a single light fixture (unless you add more to the end).
If you have questions about your home improvement projects, stop by the forum on our website, where Shannon will answer your questions in detail for free.
Website: www.house-improvements.com
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Video © 2018 SKS Media. Videos produced by SKS Media (House-Improvements.com) are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in the videos is intended to give general guidance to simplify DIY (do it yourself) projects. Because tools, products, materials, equipment, techniques, building codes and local regulations are constantly changing, SKS Media cannot and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information contained therein. Further, SKS Media will not accept any claim for liability related to, but not limited to, omissions, errors, injury, damage or the outcome of any project. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project. If there are any questions or doubt in regards to the element of a project, please consult with a licensed professional. SKS Media conducts all matters in accordance with the laws of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Пікірлер: 385

@liamstory8930 Жыл бұрын

So many times I had to go into Friends houses and fix three-way switches with multiple lights. This is the best I’ve ever seen. Excellent. It is very confusing when you have a light between two switches and people always mess them up.

@j.r.g.burritoman5108 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I'm pretty handy. I'm helping daughter with a 3 way switch to a single light fixture. It hasn't worked for 10 years because someone mixed up wiring. THANKS to you I believe I can fix it! Much appreciated!

@eagl3ye 7 ай бұрын

I feel like I've got example #1 down pretty solidly, but I still check my work while watching this video while adding 3-way switches to my home. Clear, concise explanation and easy to follow diagram. Excellent video as always.

@thomask315 4 жыл бұрын

I was first trying to do the method you have in the second method. Sooo frustrated...then I found your video and realized how easy it was to switch to the first method. Set my laptop next to me and went step by step through the wiring and it worked perfect! No more fear of complicated 3 way switches for me! Thank you so much for the step by step methodical approach you took.

@mdwiggins91 Жыл бұрын

I teach (taught, for some time, and hope to teach again) a basic electrical course with this sort of model setup. I mention that to contextualize the comment: this is a great video. Super clear instruction and use of models. And, informative for me, as someone who has not had much occasion to work on (new) three way circuit components, so it’s really helpful to get the refresher. Great work. Thanks!

@HouseImprovements Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@crislopes4518 8 ай бұрын

5 years too late but Great video! Exactly what I’ve been looking for all day. I could do switch switch light but lights in the middle is a bit more complicated. Or was at a least thanks to this.

@Glocko44 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. It is also worth mentioning that when installing a 3-way light switch setup and someone wants to use a dimmer switch, that only one of the 2 switches should be a dimmer switch and the other just a regular one.

@justme4172 2 жыл бұрын

That was a very good and valuable comment!! Thanks. I didn’t know that and was about to plan using two three way dimmers. Out of curiosity can you explain why you can’t use two three way dimmers on this ?

@Intellistan 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I can't say that enough. Saved me hundred of dollars and taught me something along the way. Priceless.

@ds99 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon. I like the bottom example best too because it gives you a white wire in both switches in case you wanted to put a timer or dimmer on one or the other.

@gregberban9273 5 жыл бұрын

Only a luminated dimmer would require a neutral

@mipuntodevista3988 3 жыл бұрын

No dude it was not boring at all I’ve learn a lot in todays class. Thank you for spreading your knowledge.

@Neuron43 6 жыл бұрын

Goes to show that even a guy that thinks he knows everything (like myself) can still learn a thing or two from a good KZfaqr. I learned this a while back from a TV show called Handyman Challenge but I'm subscribing for the excellent coverage of even the finest details and best practices in electrical. I'm a self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and try to be as fussy about the job as the customer or more so. Thanks for sharing.

@StudioBacks 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon. The video "how to wire a 3-way light" was extremely helpful. This has been the best instruction on the web I have found so far.

@pahriz 5 жыл бұрын

Shannon is amazing at breaking this stuff down. AMAZING....

@SemperShock 2 жыл бұрын

Watching this video so I can undue exactly what you have displayed on top. I need to make the 2 lights above, single pole switch so they are no longer on a 2 way. Seeing how it’s hooked up, gives me a better understanding what I have to undue. Thanks

@edmartian 4 жыл бұрын

Shannon you do a great job. I am an Australian with zero experience living in Germany where everyone does there own stuff and even with the differences in standards your info gets me 95% of the way there.

@ajdavis5270 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. My switch to the entry of my hallway never worked after new switches were installed throughout the house by a friend of mine years ago. He said there must be a wiring short in the wall and we would have to tear the wall apart. No way was I going to do that. Today, I opened up the light switch and followed your video and discovered my fried wired it incorrectly. Changed the wire connections on two of the wires in the switch and bam!!!! it works great. Thanks for the easy explanation and guidance.

@nathanpenn2204 Жыл бұрын

This just saved me a lot of time and money, made me some money, and finished the remodeled apartment on time. Thankyou so much.

@stellarfirefighter5318 4 жыл бұрын

You put a lot of effort into this presentation and I appreciate it!

@armandhammer2235 4 жыл бұрын

DUDE, I'm a dumb plumber who did what a Canadian do it all guy told him what to do and I got two ceiling fans with lights working like a champ with two switches. I'm kinda proud. Thanks man.

@briantruck2284 6 ай бұрын

Working on same deal I want cut light & keep the fan running from switch. Should I settle with pulling string switche

@armandhammer2235 6 ай бұрын

@@briantruck2284 I messed up one black wire.

@kellencampbell1323 5 жыл бұрын

This video really helped me to wire up 3 way switches with two lights; same as shown at 7:00 .. don't think I would have even attempted the project without this video.. thanks..

@normanbernal4337 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon, very clear and understandable delivery, also the points you make about the potentially confusing aspects of understanding the current flow was really helpful. Exactly right in that this kind of work is not as straightforward as it seems to be, a little time and thought, along with a decent working diagram or basic schematic on the part of the person doing the installation will go a long way to making their projects work the first time around. Thanks again, great delivery, pretty personable, getting it done as usual!

@brendanchase9068 5 жыл бұрын

Shannon, I think you're one of the best instructors on KZfaq. Huge thanks!

@rouinea Жыл бұрын

s😢t

@dillonbunch162 5 жыл бұрын

Great video definitely makes a lot more sense on the second scenario. I have a night mare of a problem in an attic and this literally just saved my skin

@user-uv5lr5du1h Ай бұрын

Thank You .The top wire job l followed exactly and it went Perfect. Great Job 👍

@robbond6696 Жыл бұрын

Nope you got it right, and thank you. Was begining to doubt my training from so long ago. I was shocked to see a few videos runnin crazy stuff.

@dhenschel4 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, very complete. I believe the second scenario is different, in addition to the complexity, in that you have 14-3 wires between the lights which should add more cost.

@matthewhickey287 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!! I had a situation like the second half but I had 3 lights and was able to extrapolate it out. Much better than my electrical book or other videos I have watched.

@SplashJohn 5 ай бұрын

Excellent demonstration, thank you!

@dgreene2701 2 жыл бұрын

I had two 3-way circuits I needed to wire in my basement. I understood the principle of wiring the circuit but couldn't make sense of it when I looked at the wires hahahaha. This video made it so clear I was able to knock it out in a matter of minutes. Thank so much for the amazing presentation!

@HouseImprovements 2 жыл бұрын

Great job!

@markpinther9296 4 ай бұрын

excellent video as usual. I almost always hear the term “traveler” when referring to one of the wires and it seems to be where most people fail. I think it’s most clearly demonstrated on the bottom example where the first wire travels switch one to switch two. Then up to the lights.

@Ricochet909 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this step-by-step tutorial. This helped me immensely to wire overhead lighting in my cargo trailer.

@DJVstar-bj8mn 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks you for the video, just wired up a couple of 3 ways. I like to check out the how too, before I do any thing any more, old and a bit rusty. Your video is a nice refresher on how too.

@randomness5065 6 ай бұрын

i thank you for this, i have needed to add another switch into my crawl space as there are entries on opposite corners but previously only had one switch on the less accessible side. Took me about 2 hours, followed your first one on this video and BINGO, i now have 2 - 3 way switches running the lights in my crawls space.....Happy Wife Happy Life

@HouseImprovements 6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@rcl40403 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the second example. My head couldn’t wrap around this before your video, but it’s what I had to do.

@anitathomas-collen7681 6 жыл бұрын

Finally! I’ve had I believe hmmmm 5 “licensed” electricians try to figure out the issue with two three way wiring set ups in my home and each ended unsuccessfully but this HOW TO video has cleared it all up for me . Oh how I wish I’d seen this about a thousand dollars ago!!! Thank you for you’re thorough & logical instructions

@gregberban9273 5 жыл бұрын

You didn't have an electrician there if they couldn't figure it out , just sayin

@deathhippie6220 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I wasn't sure how I was going to do this on a staircase with 2 lights and 2 switches!

@marciejones4966 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this display board. I see a 3 way switch and i break out in hives. I am adding two additional lights in the hallway with one existing light being in the center. I could not understand in my pea brain what was going on. I love that ah hah moment when it eventually gets there through thick skull. Your an excellent instructor, I’m an old former maintenance hvac tech and still retention is questionable! 🤯 i drew it out on paper for the 130 degree attic. Thank you so much! Marcie

@ymunib 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU so much!!! I was able to take care of my basement pot light addition because of your video.

@MrGeo19792000 3 жыл бұрын

I watch this video about a dozen times till finally I fix my 3 way switch n follow ur instruction but the way mine were backwards and now they work how should they work. BIG THANK YOU!!!

@chriskelly2706 3 ай бұрын

Thank you very much! A very helpful video - as all of your others are too!

@jjblakeman 6 жыл бұрын

None of the other videos explained it as well as you. Thanks saved me a ton of time!

@drpope1 6 жыл бұрын

A simple 1-line schematic for each might lessen the confusion some people have with these installations. Nice visual and good explanation.

@andreyzagoruyko5390 Жыл бұрын

Nice, I didn't know it could be done like in the bottom example; thank you very much!

@CarlosGomez-qs9bm Жыл бұрын

Not boring at all! Thanks for your help and time!

@liznamyrvega1926 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! I finally understood the wiring of a 3 way switch!

@bluesmanj 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to build the display, and explain things in detail! Your video helped me a lot!

@jimsmith5756 5 жыл бұрын

The way you have this displayed is very nice, thanks!

@backcountrytourn5089 5 жыл бұрын

One of the best info channels on the tube .... PERIOD !!!!!!

@Johnwickpifpaf 2 жыл бұрын

The best explanation and scenarios

@abimaelyisrael858 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I had to watch it a couple times to grasp the concept a little better.

@garylarose2561 5 жыл бұрын

Lots of vids with one light, first one I found with two lights. Thanks I think I got it figured out

@MrNateJSutton 2 жыл бұрын

10:34 excellent camera work

@nicolaschirinos72 5 жыл бұрын

finally found the video I was looking for, I found some illustration for the wiring you have here for both of the wiring samples you have in your board. I’m doing the sample you have on top at one of my clients and one of my worker was skeptic about how I was wiring it, until I found your video and sent it over to him for him to learn there is more than one way to wire a 3 way switch with multiples lights. Keep the good work and listen to your viewers, that will make your channel grow even more!

@HouseImprovements 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nicolas

@michaelrose8607 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for making this video! I always get myself confused with this!

@raymond3722 3 жыл бұрын

Shannon you are a great illustrator

@chrisvassal9576 2 жыл бұрын

As always your videos are the best!I am wiring our horse barn with three way switches and you explain this so I can easily understand it.

@duttyboy2582Gaming Жыл бұрын

Great video helped very much now feel confident putting in three three way switches in my House. The first method Is so simple compared to the second in my opinion.

@HomeImProveMentHow 6 жыл бұрын

Okay thank you Ken

@tittyrino 2 жыл бұрын

Call me crazy but Your teaching is NOT DRY.I love it and thank you for sharing. I have learned so much from your videos. I make more money now so thanks again.

@HouseImprovements 2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome

@alanurquiza6897 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you I remember how to do it again

@josephtefft4098 3 жыл бұрын

It has probably been said a bunch. Thank you for this demonstration.

@adventuresofahandyman4446 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Always enjoy your videos. They're always helpful. 👍👍👍

@enlightenedwarrior7119 4 жыл бұрын

I live in New Orleans and been doing electrical work for over 35 yrs some houses are over a 100 yrs old they've been adding shit for years I've seen several time where they just run a two wire for switch to switch and picked up the neutral from the nearest circuit which means if you have to troubleshoot or work on that other circuit and turn that one off that circuit with the 3 way has a return on that neutral which is dangerous. And your hot stick will not pick it up unless the neutral are disconnected so anyone working on three way and want to do it yourself watch out for that

@jwondel 2 жыл бұрын

So, so helpful!! Thank you!!!

@rlabrum524 Жыл бұрын

Well done. Easy to follow. Easier to understand. Excellent video. Thank you.

@jimblc05 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for putting up both example helped me out to install 2 new switches and I thought they were hooked up like the first one.

@leonbrown2265 5 жыл бұрын

Top one is unconventional, no one wire like that.

@andrewshedden 11 ай бұрын

This is the best explanation I’ve seen of this process. Thank you!

@mikegarippo7815 5 жыл бұрын

You weren't boring; you were informative -- and a bit funny!

@semermerhimcbo 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon. Great information 👍

@Intellistan 2 жыл бұрын

Dude!! I found you again. Damn am I glad to see you!

@HouseImprovements 2 жыл бұрын

Click subscribe so i'm easier to find next time!

@gianlucaprato7564 Жыл бұрын

You always pop up when I need sharp advises on point. Thanks for being awesome 🤩

@Ntajneeb74 2 жыл бұрын

Great illustration! Thanks

@scotthanna941 6 жыл бұрын

perfect video , thanks so much i learn so much from your videos and put it into practice s i do mostly handyman type work and all around general repair. tanks for the great work and effort you do to make these happen and teach people .

@Guardducks 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Shannon.

@drewmaymusic7438 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve watched them all this is brilliant. Thank you.

@HouseImprovements 4 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome

@jorgeg922 6 жыл бұрын

appreciate your work!

@tlt61 Жыл бұрын

My garage is wired like the upper configuration, it is a bit confusing, had to have a buddy come over and explain it to me when I was adding some outlets.

@ZaphMann 3 жыл бұрын

excellent. Someone had used a different method that worked 75% - this is perfect, tganks

@zaheerjabbar5304 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for explaining. Thanks again.

@martytruelove5026 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the explanation,you should think about teaching,seriously.I just had to pull another wire,didn't realize I needed two 14/2 light to light.I had one 14/3.

@dungle-wh9td 6 ай бұрын

You are amazing, thank you Sir!

@gogobrokengadgets5967 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve never made a comment! I’m an auto mechanic and the word “common” is my ground, so when the instructions say “remember your common wire” I fire up u tube, find you.... You say this is the “hot” wire, but connect it to the “common”....whew😳 You got me lined out, pun intended! Thanks

@ericr3840 Жыл бұрын

Really good video. Big help. I had you 1st example and needed to fix the common going to the lights 🎉

@terryg3921 6 жыл бұрын

Very good example and explanation. Thanks

@vincentmesser2452 5 жыл бұрын

You’ve bailed me out a couple of times thanks a bunch!

@jecarsepulveda8237 5 жыл бұрын

I stick with the first one awesome vid thanks am a big fan

@manhore718romero9 5 жыл бұрын

Got it , helped out cause I rather use the second one very more useful for staircase lighting through basement and outdoors

@a1m1erola 6 жыл бұрын

Great video...very useful, simple instructions..thanks, look forward to more like this!

@rexrexford5249 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shannon, another video well done. Appreciate your efforts.

@timrudisill813 6 жыл бұрын

Very nice!! Thank You!!

@human1513 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. You demonstrate and speak very well.

@earthsskin 3 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent video. Even so I have watched it 2 dozen times 😄

@javierargumedo3 5 жыл бұрын

would you tell me if in the second schematic can add a THIRD LIGHT and a FAN WITH a SWITCH to turn on/off the fan motor and how to wire it.

@propmanager1954 3 жыл бұрын

Great wiring lesson. I used the 2nd example and it worked great. Thanks!

@HouseImprovements 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@jayv2765 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike

@piyumia3231 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this helpful video! Is it possible to have a mutli-arm ceiling light with 3 arms each with 1 bulb, and each having an individual switch on its arm so you can keep some of the bulbs off if not needed? Don't know if this is a stupid question as I can't find anything about this on the internet !