The Best 3 Way Switch Explanation Ever!

A 3-way switch circuit is explained and described in detail, including visual animation and practical application. Video includes the bonus addition of adding a 4-way switch.

[stevenranc]

I watched dozens of videos like this and this is the only one that allowed me to understand how the circuit works and with which I was able to install a 3 way alone. THANKS!

[melissazuk]

3-way circuits were the LAST thing we needed to fix in our electrical re-do project. This video makes it so simple! You saved us a ton of time! Thank you :)

[earldaprl]

Terry...after YEARS of doing electrical work this 3-way, 4-way switch thing has been my nemesis...currently doing a job where I almost came to tears trying to wire 2 3-way switches with two lights and adding power for another switch/light in a bathroom....UGGGGHHHH!!! Well...after this video I feel like a HERO, cuz I GET IT NOW!!!

[springhollerfarm]

Watching your video got me through installing a 3 way switch for the light in my bedroom addition plus how to wire the ceiling fan & light months later as the 3 way is only for the light, not the fan.

[hellxxslayer]

Who needs college when guys like this teach you for free hey man thanks helped me figure out my issue in my home now everything is fixed working properly

[littlesumpin]

Terry. Thanks so much #1 for getting my 2 outdoor floodlight fixtures on after a contractor took them down doing new siding and left bare wires sticking out. Quick version is was I replaced a switch unnecessarily but wired it incorrect. After watching your video after 5 year of chemo because of incurable multiple myeloma cancer I never had the switches 1 in kitchen 1 in garage in open loop position. Up and down the ladders many times. Up and down stairs many times to turn off power at breaker, I have done lots of electrical in 63 years but was at wits end and I never call anyone fix everything. So once switches were in correct position Voila light wires energized again later today I am reattaching fixtures. Your whole presentation skills and value make it possible for just about anyone to, install or rectify their dilemma. Keep up good work Sir. David

[cebarillas]

Video was posted on June 25th 2018, today May 25th 2020 - it helped me resolve my living room remodel! Thank you!!

[TheHippiflip]

This IS THE BEST explanation because it reaches the DIYer on every level possible. Thanks for the post!

[joshriver]

Duuude!!! Big shout out to you. This video helped me actually understand and solve my problem.
Bought my first home recently and the wiring in the kitchen wasn't right when we moved in. We had two 3-way switches. 1 switch worked a light. The other switch effectively just cut power to the first switch. On the other circuit the red wire was just capped off.
Thank you very much for this explanation! All is good and now I'm much more comfortable with what's happening inside my walls.

[chrishermitte]

I am an electrical dummy....was trying to replace decor switches with smart eve switches and couldn't figure it out. After watching this video a couple of times to be sure, all works great and had them installed within 10 minutes!!!! Best video on explanation of 3 way. Many many thanks Terry.

[johnestes]

Being an Industrial Electrician I am also asked plenty of questions about household wiring. This has always been the question that people ask and Its hard for me to get them to understand using my explanation. The simplicity used here in your explanation of the three way switch should make it where most anyone with a little knowledge of Electricity and wiring should have no problem understanding. I guess my explanation is to much in depth and overdone. Great video.. Thanks!

[Mrcool]

Dude! As a new flipper/ landlord, you have no idea how freakn helpful this is! I just subscribed and thank you

[Beaverooable]

Wow !, Finally I get it. Don't know how many times I had to call a electrical buddy to walk me through this.. I think I get it know . Great explanation .

[JLange]

Very helpful! I have a hand drawn diagram from my late father, master electrician trained in WWII Coast Guard, and I refer to it often. It REALLY is fun when you run into a "repair" job in an old home where all the romex has aged and all the wires look black at the devices! Then the tracing out begins!!!!
Thank you for a great video!

[paulzacharias]

As soon as I finished watching your video, I had it wired correctly. Thank you for taking the time to instruct us.

[andypomeroy]

Thank You!!! I watched and followed the steps. I wired three rooms and two worked fine. I spent nearly two hours trouble shooting the third room. I kept referring back to your video with no resolution. Then I noticed that the dimmer slide on the dimmer toggle switch was all the way down and that was why the lights would not come on! Thank you for such a clear and concise explanation.

[lennydee]

Today 8/23/20 I changed a 3-way toggle to a 3-way paddle. I was losing my mind. It now works thanks to you. You're a lifesaver. And a solid understanding is a huge help. Thank you 😊

[flyer]

Hands down the best video explanation I’ve watched. I searched so many sites trying to find answers and this video solved my problem. Thank you very much!!

[cfgdr]

Finally, it all makes sense! I used to get the travelers mixed up with the commons... and a few hours of trying different combos would fix it.
With this explanation, I just have to remember two things.
#1 - the LINE (the hot wire where the power is being fed from) goes to the black common screw
and #2 - the LOAD (the hot wire of the equipment or item you're trying to turn on) goes to the black common screw of the last switch closest to it.

Thank you for making this so simple to understand. I now want to install another 3-way and even brave a 4-way installation.

[AncientHippie]

Thanks! I had a three way switch; one was a timer the other was a switch but the electrician that did our new house said that that having the switch side off was killing the battery in the timer so he disconnected the switch (leaving the wires) and left us only with a timer. My bride preferred a 3 way switch so this video allowed a somewhat handy financial analyst to replace the timer with a switch and reconnect the other switch....THANK YOU this was very well done and I learned from it.