3-way switch, how to identify wires-Learn how to wire a three-way switch

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In this video I show how to identify each of the wires for a 3-way switch. How to identify "line" and "load" wires and where to connect them. Three way switches are commonly used in rooms where there are couple of points of entry to the room. Such as, kitchen, hallway, etc.

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[seanthompson]

So incredibly helpful. My hall lights now function as they should. The details for wiring the second switch are overlooked by so many videos. Thanks very much!

[mediau]

Outstanding! I watched three other videos without getting the REAL answer! Very well done and quite informative! Thanks!!!

[brian]

Great explanation.
No annoying music
Thank you

[ronsusi]

Just what I needed to find out which one was the common wire. An excellent presentation and both switches are working the way they are supposed to work. Thanks

[sberfield]

Thank to so much for this. Half the 3 ways in this house are weird wrong and I've been going nuts trying to sort them out.

[jeffpless]

Thank you for the clear concise video. You yelped me figure out my problem by finding the common wire.

[tshollinger]

Thank you! I was replacing old switches that had the terminals located differently that the new switches and the colors of the wires varied. It would have been an impossible job were it not for this video. Excellent!

[jimgraham]

Helped me fix my issue: Swapped traveler w/ Neutral. Tip to identify travelers in the same wire solved my problem. Did not have a DVM handy...

[riedjacobsen]

Great explanation of common wire identification. The 35+ year old switch had all terminals darkened to the same dark antique brass shade, so that didn't help. Eventually cleaned enough dust off to figure out i had two yellow travelers, and that left the purple and red as common wires. Appreciate this video.

Wish I could give it 5 stars.

[Ryan-okxr]

I really liked how you explained this. Much easier to keep in my memory now

[dr_]

Thanks for the video. It helped me to correct the wiring of my two 3 way switches with the kasa hs210.

[motomaddox]

Very useful, much appreciated! This helped me install two smart switches on a 3-way circuit.

[joshclark]

Thanks, I'm installing a new switch and struggling. This video was a great help!

[will-law]

Really appreciate you taking the time to post this. Really helped me out.

[onebridge]

Great video. I had this same switch, but could not find it at Loews or Home Depot. The 3 way switches available had all the same kind of screw except a green one for ground. I had to play merry go round the switch until it worked.

[daneason]

This is the example I was looking for! Thanks!

[adrib]

Muchas gracias, you are the best, good explain, I always hav problemms with 3 ways, but now thank's to you finally I did good.

[eduardocastillo]

Excelente video!Bien explicado, facial de seguir, GRACIAS.!

[garyr]

On the first switch you are right it doesn't matter where you hook up the traveling wires. But, on the second switch you have to connect the traveling wires on the switch in the same places as you did on the first switch. So, if you have a red wire and common (black screw) on one side for first switch then the red wire and common (black screw) should be on one side. You even show it in your schematic on the top right side of the video.