Install a 3 way Light Switch ~ In 60 Seconds

No video

Install a 3 way Light Switch ~ In 60 Seconds

Рет қаралды 578,497

Күн бұрын

Today I'll show you how to Install a 3 way light switch in a 60 second #short video. Wiring two 3 way light switches to control one or more lights from two locations is really quite easy. I'll show you the most common method which is when the feed enters one box and the light exits the second box.
Electrical box at switch #1 will have the following:
-14/2 cable with a black/white/bare wire power feed to the box.
-14/3 cable with a black/red/white/bare wire between switch boxes.
Electrical box at switch #2 will have the following:
-14/2 cable with a black/white/bare wire to the light(s).
-14/3 cable with a black/red/white/bare wire between switch boxes.
Connections: (box #1)
-White wires tie together with a wire nut or other approved connection.
-Bare ground wires tie together with a wire nut or other approved connection with a tail left which connects to the green screw on the switch.
-Black feeder wire connects to the common (black) screw on the switch.
- Red and Black wires between switch boxes (travelers) connect to the two bronze screws on the switch.
Connections: (box #2)
-White wires tie together with a wire nut or other approved connection.
-Bare ground wires tie together with a wire nut or other approved connection with a tail left which connects to the green screw on the switch.
-Black wire to the lights connects to the common (black) screw on the switch.
- Red and Black wires between switch boxes (travelers) connect to the two bronze screws on the switch.

Пікірлер: 382

@SolidSnake-bt8eq Жыл бұрын

I learned in 60 seconds what someone takes 8 minutes to say ! Thanks 🙏

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching...

@Promatch.insights 4 ай бұрын

@BackyardMaine you really make everything so simple. One of the best on YT.

@Cosmic24242 4 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine mine only has 1 black wire, what do I do?

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

@@Cosmic24242 Sound like you may have a dead end 3-way. I have a long form video where I talk about that. It's called how not to wire light switches.

@Cosmic24242 4 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine so my electrician messed it up? My light switch will only work like 10% of the time.

@sinofpride8391 4 ай бұрын

Finally someone that knows what’s their doing, no extra slack and crazy service loops and no drills twisting the shit out of the wires

@supersoberano2095 Жыл бұрын

This is easier to understand with drawings. Or schematic to visualize what it happening.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You're right. I'll put together a video with some drawings showing how this is done.

@Skibidi_Male_X 8 ай бұрын

3 ways are very useful and there are so many ways to wire them up depending on your situation.

@austincopeland1607 7 ай бұрын

What about the other black wire

@brentonwolter9340 3 ай бұрын

He didn't show it, but he stated in the video that the other black wire is a traveler and connects to the other bronze screw.

@konnichwakid 7 ай бұрын

I've juggled so many wires. Finally this video said it perfectly.

@berniemiller2992 Жыл бұрын

Never found the need to tighten side screws with a screw gun. Mounting screws sure. Milwaukee makes a dedicated screwdriver for square centered spade headed screws. Extremely useful.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I have a screwdriver made by Ideal that's specifically made for devices. I can't remember what they call it but it combines the square head, flat head and phillips and it fits perfectly into the side screws. Probably the same as the Milwaukee.

@Tre16 Жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine ECX bit

@redecks336 Жыл бұрын

It's faster and if you have a variable trigger gun (which most are nowadays), it's super easy to not strip the screws out.

@jpmacoo 9 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine I have the same one. Works great. I think that Klein makes one too

@user-bd9qt5zn6n 7 ай бұрын

Use a Roberson tip

@StealthTheUnknown 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for discouraging backstabbing

@PawsumGaming Жыл бұрын

I love how you tell them DIY joes not to use those stupid backstabs...

@OUTDOORS55 9 ай бұрын

Don't you love when Electrians get their panties in a bundle when someone doesn't do something thats up to code. And then when something IS code approved they still cry and complain😂

@spencerevenhouse8175 9 ай бұрын

Why not? It works

@billellington9754 9 ай бұрын

Using an impact to tighten screws on a switch/receptacle takes practice. I won't allow apprentices to use them.

@adisharr 25 күн бұрын

@@spencerevenhouse8175 They make a crap and are long term unreliable. Why do something half-assed?

@iraschwa5473 9 ай бұрын

I love your instructions. Please keep teaching us.

@danielmchaney 2 жыл бұрын

Your the man. I appreciate how easy you made this for me. Other video were long and confusing.

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome. I’m glad I was able to help. I have lots of other DIY videos on my channel that me interest you. Thanks for watching!

@ayeitsshane806 Жыл бұрын

@BackyardMaine your travelers have to be paired. So it's easiest to do so with using the same screw. If you reverse your travelers only one switch will work try it out

@ElectricianMagician 3 ай бұрын

It doesn't matter which traveler screw the travelers are on. It will still work normally. The only thing you need to make sure of is that the feed/switch leg goes on the black terminal only. @ayeitsshane806

@OfficialTakGiovanni Жыл бұрын

I’m in electrical trade school learning commercial & residential wiring right now and this video was very helpful and quick

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Great to hear. It's a really good trade. I have a lot of electrical content and I make more every week. Check out my playlist electrical shorts or five minute electrical videos.

@chrisfigueroa3361 2 ай бұрын

Easy learn this about 30 yrs Ago thanks for sharing buddy 💯

@user-jm8en4gg4d 6 ай бұрын

You explain soo easy thank you

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

Happy to help!

@marcosromano3 2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!!!

@BackyardMaine 2 ай бұрын

My pleasure. I have several longer videos on 3-way switches that go into much more detail.

@Hu_tao_Main_.458 Ай бұрын

I have the sam switch but mine don't have the ground screw I tried to put a ground in one of them but I couldn't it looks to me like it doesn't have the threads for it

@therealbacaboo 7 ай бұрын

Thank you. Straight to the point! Subscribed! ✊❤️

@BackyardMaine 7 ай бұрын

Welcome..

@pete3261 Жыл бұрын

By any chance you have a little bit longer version? Where one could see both ends being hooked up?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I will put together a video on this soon my friend. Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you won't miss it. I'll detail what to do at each location as well as the wiring method when the power in and light are in the same box which is a bit different but not complicated.

@wilwiljames1 Жыл бұрын

As well as the light fixture

@craigstanton4803 Жыл бұрын

You have a black terminal screw on every 3way switch. On one side u will have a power wire that goes to black screw. On other switch it is now the switch leg that will go on black screw. Basically if newer const. U have a wired sheath with 2 conductors. Black/White U also have a wired sheath with 3 conductors. Black/White/Red. That 2 conductor wire Black conductor will land on black screw on both side. Whites tie together as being neutrals. Leaving u the black/red from 3 conductor sheath. These are the traveler wires in both boxes that will land on Brass screws.

@customsolutions7167 9 ай бұрын

@@craigstanton4803sometimes you don't get the red three conductor in old construction and have to use white..😂😂

@robertramon7313 2 ай бұрын

Thanks

@JF32304 Жыл бұрын

Yep and a 4 way goes in between the 2.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You are correct if you have three or more locations

@jerrysanchez1520 Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Thanks for watching

@user-mw1rv2wx2r 7 ай бұрын

Good job

@peacemaker8460 2 жыл бұрын

As a fellow Mainer and master electrician who just discovered your channel keep up the good work my friend

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend.

@PatrickEArchuleta-fs8bv 6 ай бұрын

Wagos are the best connections right now so easy.

@hugocardozo3162 Жыл бұрын

I like the way you explain all the process! 👍

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I really appreciate that..

@luxg3004 10 ай бұрын

The wire nut that on the ground is crazy

@johnscott2076 Ай бұрын

It really is a nut isn’t it 😂

@hugorujeles4283 Жыл бұрын

This took me soooo long to completely understand while I was in my apprenticeship till I physically put wires in my hands and watched the whole thing actually work in an open shop area really work I finally "Got it" 😅💥🤛

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@Jedacast 7 ай бұрын

Hell yes. Thank you.

@BackyardMaine 7 ай бұрын

You bet! Thanks for watching.

@OSAS726 2 ай бұрын

You have to have a minimum of 2-3ways in any multi switch configuration. You can control a load from 10 different locations as long as you have 2-3ways and 8-4ways in the 10 switch configuration. All configurations have to start with a three-way switch and end with a three-way switch.

@BackyardMaine 2 ай бұрын

Yup..

@StealthTheUnknown 11 ай бұрын

I have to recommend you explain the second switch wiring to people who may not know, saying it’s “much like the first” may not explain enough. One thing I’d also like to see more inclusion of in 3-way wiring is how to do it when your feed and your switch leg to the light come into the same box, every video focuses on the feed to one switch, switch leg to the other arrangement. Sometimes your switch leg and your feed come into the same box - explain using the neutral of your 14/3 as a hot to send power to the common (black) terminal of the separate switch (encourage taping of the white with black tape so you can tell it’s where it should be).

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

Good point thank you.. I am very limited on time with youtube shorts. I can only cram so much into a 60 second video. I will be making a long form video explaining everything including all three possible ways to wire a 3 way switch very soon. Stay tuned.

@StealthTheUnknown 11 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine yes, do that! If you’re doing a longer form video, I’d also take the time to explain the difference between how it’s all wired when the hot feed and switch leg come to the same work box, versus when the hot feed comes into one box for one switch but the switch leg goes out of the box of the other. Most videos seem to focus on the second arrangement, I guess it’s easier to explain and harder to mess up. Take the time you have in a longer video to explain black-taping the neutral of the 3-wire traveler cable and tying it in with the hot feed pigtail. Emphasize that the neutral is used as a hot feed to immediately send power from the first box to the second. Also helpful is to explain why it helps to imagine this arrangement as the same thing as the other, just “sent to the other switch first.” The reason for it is because you’re treating the neutral as a hot in the next box, but from there the wiring is done all the same as in the other case: hot feed to common terminal (wire just happens to be white now), red and black are your travelers as usual and go to the brass pins, and then at the next box you mirror those travelers on the brass pins and your switch leg on the common terminal. You can make a short video that covers it all really well and answers people’s common questions by just being that easy to understand.

@DonTruman Жыл бұрын

It can get challenging troubleshooting an existing installation (especially if it was wired incorrectly). E.g., maybe the travelers go through the light outlet box (and change color coding). Maybe the travelers go to the other switch then back to the first, then up to the light outlet. But since it's an existing installation you can't see the wires in the walls, so you have to analyze it logically to deduce what's what.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You are correct. We I find an improperly wired three ways I disconnect all the wires on the switches and ring them out. Sometimes it's also necessary to disconnect the light if the issue is there.

@youknosav3122 Жыл бұрын

I needed this video yesterday lol I figured it out after a hour or 2

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Bummer, I have lots of electrical content.

@hotratz69 Жыл бұрын

Never use those stab terms. those are for alum. wire. HAhaha Show us what a California three way is. hehe

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

That's a great video Idea.. Im going to add that to my list. I was thinking of showing a few different ways to wire a three way but I forgot about that method where the hot and switched leg are on both ends.. Thanks

@brandonparis4503 8 ай бұрын

How do u know which one is power between the two hots

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

The red and black wires between the two switches are travelers and will be in the 3-wire cable. On either end you will also have a 2-wire with a black and white only. One side will be your feed and the other side will go to the light. There are other possible configurations as well. For example you could have both the feed and the load in the same box with just a 3-wire between switches. I have to make a long form video with the time to show all three possible configurations and how to wire each one.

@manuelzhune9099 Жыл бұрын

thanks very good information

@surferdude642 Жыл бұрын

3 way switches control lights from 2 locations or more you said. True, however if more you'd need 4 way switches in between if it's 3 or more locations.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Of course.

@ObservationofLimits 11 ай бұрын

Three ways are only used from two locations or THE END of more locations (everything in between is a 4-way)

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

Of course..

@rognelrevolus6832 6 ай бұрын

I was watching carefully, but unable to see where you plug the black wire that travel between the switches, If you don’t mind please ?

@pauljones618 Жыл бұрын

The USA and Germany make the best tools for Electricians, but watching this video and other videos, it's terrible the way you connect switches and socket outlets, by making a loop to connect your cables. But it a great the way you install conduit or EMT as you call it, your simple bending tool is is much better then our bending vice. Our earth cables or ground as you call it, is nether bare like yours. I'm retired now but the way you do things I would sooner be a electrician in the USA 👍🏻

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

We are different.. For example you produced the Scorpions and we produced Van Halen. Both awesome rock band but completely different. 😎

@pauljones618 Жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine Both great rock bands I agree. I am English , i was just stating USA and Germany make great electrical tools. 👍🏻

@SuperVstech 5 ай бұрын

Kudos for using the screws, but you need much tighter loops, your wires are just grabbing the tail, ya need to make them fit tightly around the screw, so all the exposed wire is under the screw.

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

Closing the loop just makes it difficult for the next guy. Making a J-hook gives 270 degrees of contact which is what the manufacturers recommend. PS: I have been a licensed electrician and an electrical engineer for four decades.

@bethfinney1457 2 жыл бұрын

I always wondered how that worked. Very informative and easy to do.

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@milo6373 Жыл бұрын

I crossed hot wire with a traveler black , imagine my embarrassment, thank you for clearing up a 5 year mistake... 🤔✌️🙏💪😧

@thelonewrangler1008 Жыл бұрын

I feel like you left that one screw horizontal just to mess with the electricians😂

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You do know that youtube considers comments as engagement and engagement helps with the video performance. 🧐 like a fox my friend.. 😂

@cleronclarke5202 Жыл бұрын

Good eyes 👀

@justinfuller137 11 ай бұрын

Lol he idk why but I caught that too

@cookingwithtstreet9358 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You bet! Thanks for watching.

@vegasskidd7081 Жыл бұрын

Your awesome bro great teacher

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend. 👍

@michaelhornbeck124 Жыл бұрын

I like that royalty man and this video really helped me a lot

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Thank you! So glad to help.

@user-rd4md9xh6q 6 ай бұрын

It took me about 50times studying your work, and I finally got the hang of it.!! Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us all…!!

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

@ehabhabeeb7819 Жыл бұрын

Thank you boss its been 3 days i call every electrician friend to help me to connect a 3 way switch they all telling the were busy know I can do it by myself

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help. Just be sure to turn off the power first.

@JuanGomez233105 2 жыл бұрын

great video, thanks

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. 👍

@dougcorwin3090 10 ай бұрын

Take the hot and neutral to the light take both 3wires to the light less wire less time easier to yrouble shoot if needed later

@BackyardMaine 10 ай бұрын

I need to make a longer video explaining all the possible ways to wire a 3-way.

@ottoroth9377 9 ай бұрын

In your video on breaker replacement, like your method unscrewing the wire wigh the breaker turned on and your screw driver's metal shaft resting on your finger.

@BackyardMaine 9 ай бұрын

Not my video.. I don't have a video on breakers yet.

@thomasmoon9034 6 ай бұрын

Finish wire arrangement on second switch with light

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

Shorts are limited to 60 seconds.

@rogerdixon1069 Жыл бұрын

How do you get the three wires to identify themselves and split off like that?

@cat-daddy5015 Жыл бұрын

Know what you ran and how it ran

@mrgallbladder Жыл бұрын

I wish all 3-way switches were wired like this.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

There are a few different methods depending... I'll make a longer video with a lot more detail showing all possible methods.

@aliens_are_realll Жыл бұрын

Hi Sir, You mentioned not to use the holes. is there any reason behind that.....using the hole or the screws both are same right??? ....thanks for the simple explanation

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I find them unreliable. I have this video where I go into details.. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8VzkteozZvKgXk.html

@carlsmith5678 Жыл бұрын

They operate the same way, but the stab ins can loosen over time, resulting in a faulty connection.

@thew.o.p.835 Жыл бұрын

Not all three way switches are wired the same. You might need to remove the fixture and identify which lines are travelers and commons.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

True this is one way and probably the most common. I going to make a video show all the possible options at some point but it won't be a short.

@jesusflores9328 Жыл бұрын

coast 3 way?

@moharshad6882 Жыл бұрын

Thanks man, thanks to u I was able to use this video while taking a test about it and I passed

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I’m glad it helped

@scottk8245R Жыл бұрын

Looking for a reason to use a 4-way switch I recently picked up. What application would that be best for?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You use 4-ways when you have three or more switch locations. If you had 3 locations the 4-way would be between two 3-ways.

@ayeitsshane806 Жыл бұрын

Good short, the only thing left out is to make sure your travelers are landed to the same terminations (same golden screw on each switch) and the switch leg goes on the black screw where the power went on the other switch.

@mugsanddust1347 Жыл бұрын

it doesn’t matter which screws the travelers go on as long as you have your commons right

@carlsmith5678 Жыл бұрын

@mugsanddust1347 it only matters for troubleshooting so you know which wire is which.

@ayeitsshane806 Жыл бұрын

Lol not be a dick, have you ever troubleshoot a 3 way that one switch didn't work when the other was off. That's reversed travelers

@carlsmith5678 Жыл бұрын

@ayeitsshane806 you can't reverse travelers. They'll operate the same no matter what position you put them in on the switch. What you're talking is someone mixing up the traveler for the hot or switch leg.

@RWCYYT4525 9 ай бұрын

I love using the holes at the back I had no failure points no sparks

@dane7680 Жыл бұрын

Great informative video. Thank you for posting

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

@jkrigelman Жыл бұрын

First time I seen a through hole ground nut.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I like them..

@pileggitech Жыл бұрын

Great job. I always hated these when the feed and light are in the same box, and they used one of the white wires (in the 3-wire cord) as a traveler, especially when they don't mark it. Then you have to trace everything out. I always try to wire it as power feed in one box and light in the other but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I do the same but like you say sometimes it just makes more sense to have both at the same location. I'm going to make a longer video showing all the different ways they can be wired including having more than two locations with a 4-way in the middle. I just started a new series call 5 minute electrical videos. Thanks for your support!

@pileggitech Жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine ooooh 4-way switches. I'm looking forward to your new series. You make amazing videos

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

@@pileggitech Thank you my friend. I love hearing when people enjoy my videos. It motivates me to keep going..

@m00nchildblues Жыл бұрын

In New construction, what if I have 6 recessed ceiling lights in between 2 switches? This video does not apply, correct?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

It does. The load side of the switch would then daisy chain to the six lights

@wademckinnon2429 9 ай бұрын

If you’re not an electrician and try this, make sure you update your Will before doing so

@BackyardMaine 9 ай бұрын

You should only do what you're comfortable with.

@benharrison1069 3 ай бұрын

The first step always is to turn off the power at the breaker panel.

@giantasiansticker8068 Жыл бұрын

Does it matter which black wire you used for the common terminal

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

The feeder wire or the wire to the light will most likely be a two wire which is a black white and ground. ( I know 3 wires here but they don't count the ground on NM cable). So the black wire for the light or for the feeder will be connected to the common screw on the switch. Between switches will be a three wire, black red white and ground. The back and the red will be your travelers connected to the other two screws on the switch. The grounds will pigtail and connect to the green screw on the switch and the neutral will pigtail with the other neutrals in the box. This the what you will see when the feed is in one box and the light is in the other and is the most common configuration. However there are two other possibilities (less common) the will require a different method of wiring.

@giantasiansticker8068 Жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine the wires I have are red white and black I’m not sure which one Also the switch is from 1957

@2_Virus_7 Жыл бұрын

So where does the black cable from the 3 way goes? On the other side of the switch? I know you placed the black feed on the same side as the red cable. ?? Thanks

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Looking at two 3-way switches you would have two wires (usually black/red) connect to both switches as travelers (same color screws) The black wire in one box would be the feed and the black wire in the other would go to the light. These wires would connect to the remaining terminal on the switch. The white (neutral) and the ground are spliced together in the boxes to complete the circuit. There are other situations as well where the feed and the light are in the same box which would require another method of wiring. I'll do a longer video soon demonstrating each method.

@andrewjones1171 9 ай бұрын

How many 4-way switches can I connect to the 3-ways

@BackyardMaine 9 ай бұрын

As many as needed. Three locations would be two 3-ways and one 4-way. Four locations would be two 3-ways and two 4-ways and so on.

@im-fast-as-fuk-boi4892 Жыл бұрын

more details please 🙏

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I'm going to make a longer video with more detail very soon. Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you won't miss it. kzfaq.info/love/dOuZ0bxeSxA8ZAHttc0U-w

@railscenes4959 Жыл бұрын

What is the reason for not using the holes to connect wires to the back of the switch? Thanks!

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

They can be used and they are listed but from my experience they are unreliable over time. The screw connections will give you an installation that will last for decades. I have a couple of videos about the back stab connections.

@2bfndnhim Жыл бұрын

Multiple different ways for 3 way switch applications....

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Just a few actually but this was a short. 60 seconds max

@gurshaanbasra3639 Жыл бұрын

Power from the 14-3 or 12-2? Unclear as this is my first time working with 14-3

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

You will want to use the same gauge wire on the whole circuit. #14 for a 15A circuit and #12 for a 20A circuit. Having said that the power will come in a the 14-2, the travelers between boxes on the 14-3 and switch leg, neutral and ground to the light.

@kejbowers 2 жыл бұрын

Do you make those ground connections by drilling a hole in them or can I buy them that way?

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

No those come that way. I’ll Dona video on grousing options coming up soon.

@shag139 11 ай бұрын

So I have to ask about backstabs….if they are as bad/dangerous as people say why does the NEC let them still be used?

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

I don't think they're extremely dangerous but they are very unreliable. Especially when through wired through the device rather than pigtailed. The surface area of the spring connection is very small and over time it can arc and begin to fail. Some do get hot and Ive seen charing and melting but I've never seen one cause a fire. Yet..

@cutdogslim 2 жыл бұрын

U just made this look extremely easy and all other videos had me looking like a dear in headlights

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I'm glad I was able to help. I have lots more how to videos on my channel if you want to check them out. You can subscribe here is you like. It's free. kzfaq.info/love/dOuZ0bxeSxA8ZAHttc0U-w

@Wizard__J 11 ай бұрын

As someone who twists their grounds by hand (I take the longest bare, throw it back over facing the other way, and twist them all together, throwing a tan, or big red on it!), so that ground, with that twist and the ground leg, it just all gives me anxiety

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

I find them handy for videos because I take them all apart after recording.

@Jnash2030 9 ай бұрын

How does it wire to the light though?

@BackyardMaine 9 ай бұрын

The black wire that leaves the switch and the white and ground wire spliced in the box will go to the light. Then you connect those three wire to the hot, neutral and ground on the light fixture.

@seanmcalister9923 11 ай бұрын

You should show how to do a dead end three way great example

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

I going to put together a video showing all the (three ways) a 3-way can be wired depending on the location of your feed wire and your load. It's going to be a fun video.

@ANDRE-ys4yd Жыл бұрын

U made the deviated in 2 colors but the in and out are the same color ?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I record a longer form video explaining everything in more detail.

@cjm3955 Жыл бұрын

I was taught to never use a power drill to tighten the screws because you can crack the device.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

If you're not experienced then that's true.. I've been doing it for years and have never had an issue.

@fatal510 10 ай бұрын

Drills have a clutch that can be set quite low…

@connormayer8377 Жыл бұрын

Ground first! Just get in the habit. First to make last to break!

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

That’s a good habit but I alway work with the power off so it wouldn’t matter.

@abelquintero805 8 ай бұрын

What cable number is used for bathroom and bedroom connections?

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

The cable is sized to the circuit. For example for a 20A circuit (20A breaker) you would run 12AWG NMC or ROMEX. A 15A circuit would be run in 14AWG NMC. Its very important to pay attention to there requirements. A 20A circuit with 14AWG wire could pose a fire hazard.

@ObservationofLimits 11 ай бұрын

And line in should always be on top.

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

Actually not. It doesn't matter on a light switch. There's no code requirement, no standard practice, and makes no functional difference. Line on top for disconnect switches though. 38 years in the electrical business.

@jeffbute8431 Жыл бұрын

you should always get into the habit of red on the right doesn't mean much here but start adding 4way switches and you will thank me

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I have wired thousands of 4 way switches. The travelers between 3 ways and 4 ways can be reversed. It doesn’t matter at all so I’m not sure what you’re referring too

@51-FS Жыл бұрын

What about the built in wire stripers? Is it safe to use them?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I have a video on that as well. Actually it's my most popular short to date at 4 million views. It is safe but it's really a gimmick or a one off use in a pinch. I recommend wire strippers. I'll have a video out on wire strippers in a few days.

@51-FS Жыл бұрын

Lol a lot of people don't know what I'm talking about when I ask them that.... I only use the striper to show other people. I will check out that video

@Theremodelingchannel 2 жыл бұрын

Yup

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@Ohb777 10 ай бұрын

Does it matter on which golden screw you install the traveller’s?

@BackyardMaine 10 ай бұрын

No the travelers are interchangeable on a 3-way switch.

@Ohb777 10 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine okay, I had a situation where one of the 3 way switch was dictating whether or not the other switch was receiving power

@BackyardMaine 10 ай бұрын

Sounds like you have a feeder wire on one of the traveler connections. @@Ohb777

@Ohb777 10 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine okay thanks!

@cpg8000 11 ай бұрын

It doesn’t matter which traveler wires go to either of the bronze screws?

@BackyardMaine 11 ай бұрын

No the travelers are interchangeable.

@jamalcompton4814 2 жыл бұрын

Hello when wiring a ceiling fan and both (red &black) wires are hot and one switch is a 3 way & the other is single...can I tie them both together? Because one is left hanging...Thanks

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Usually a ceiling fan will have a switched wire for the fan and another for the light. Your 3 way most likely feeds the light while the other wire is for the fan. So one wire to the light the other to the fan. Hope that makes sense.

@jamalcompton379 2 жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine It does make sense but that wire is not there. This fan has a remote to it. I took a picture of the one I took down and it has just what you say but I have one wire that is hot just hanging. LOL I guess i'm stuck

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

@@jamalcompton379 Sorry without seeing it I’m not sure what you have there.

@ZEPPELINATTACK Жыл бұрын

I have this same wire set up but with only 1 switch to control both lights. There is an LED light bar at the bottom and a standard bulb at the top. I can't seem to wire these correctly to make them both work.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

I'm going to do a longer more detailed video on three way switches soon. I hope that will help you get them working. I have run into your situation many times where they had the wired wrong and only one switch would control the lights.

@ZEPPELINATTACK Жыл бұрын

I'm going to try to use a 3 way for both lights and see what happens. There is a single pole switch there now. It's a strange situation. Thank you for responding.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

@@ZEPPELINATTACK Just incase you don't know. A 3 way requires two switches, one at each location. There needs to be a 3 wire with ground between the two switches. Usually black, red, white and bare ground. Also the circuit feed at of the two switches and the load to the two lights in one of the two locations.

@user-em6ie2be7x Жыл бұрын

Fast and Easy....Thank you. 🙇🏿‍♂️

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped.. Thanks for watching.

@davekohn6049 6 ай бұрын

Always hook up ground screw first.. preesh

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

If you're in the habit of working live or you're an apprentice then yes. If you work dead circuits and have 4 decades of experience maybe it's not very important.

@lefefe78 Жыл бұрын

Where did the other black wire go to?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

to the light.

@ryoungblood6308 Жыл бұрын

What did you do with the 2nd black wire?

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

That connects to the switch and feeds the light.

@ryoungblood6308 Жыл бұрын

@@BackyardMaine what do you mean to the switch? I just recently took off an old light switch and it has 2 black wires and 1 white wire. I connected both of the black wires to the top screw and the white to the bottom as that’s how I think I remember they were initially wired but light didn’t come back on after I turned on power on

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

@@ryoungblood6308 Sounds like they used the white wire as one of the two travelers. Turn off power, swap the white and one of the blacks, turn on the power and see if that worked. Turn off power put the black back where it was and swap the white with the other black.

@shawn7290 Жыл бұрын

I need to color the white travelers with paint or maker it's code

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

What's the code reference?

@GTB-yu2be 10 ай бұрын

Try it the way it used to be done. Both 3-ways are dead ends and no 2 wire is used at all. All the splicing is done in the light box and the neutral is on the switch. It's super confusing and I do my best to not use Google when I do run into them.

@BackyardMaine 10 ай бұрын

I think I make a long form video showing all the possible ways to wire a three way switch. I think people will find that helpful

@kitkatkelley7030 2 жыл бұрын

I always remember the black 12/2 wire goes on the black screw.

@BackyardMaine 2 жыл бұрын

Okay

@flightmedic7169 Жыл бұрын

I have a problem where they work but if I Turn it off from one of the locations it won’t turn on unless I flip the other switch. I believe some wires might be crossed.

@BackyardMaine Жыл бұрын

Yes, you have some wires crossed on one of your switches..