A more positive way to identify a 3 way switch is to look at the body of the switch and count the number of screw terminals. There are three screw terminals on the body of the switch in addition to the green grounding screw.
How To Wire Switches
Light switch with 3 screws. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. Trim and cap the splice. Next remove the screws that hold the old switches in place. Connect the pigtail to the other screw on the new switch. When wiring a 3 way switch first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. Then connect the 2 switches by splitting the 3 wire cable apart and attaching each of the 3 wires to one of the other 3 screws on each switch.
The other two screws usually a lighter brass color are known as the traveler terminals. Do not use backstabs even if the new switch has them. A 3 way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Step 3 observe the layout of the wires. Legrand pass seymour 510lacc20 wall plate replacement screws light almond. The single dark colored screw is known as the common terminal.
Splice the hot wire the feed for the other loads and a short black pigtail together. These are called terminal screws. Terminate the light feed to one of the two screws on the new switch. You should see two black wires each connecting to a different screw on the right side of the switch. The wires that connect the two light switches to each other attach to these two screws and it doesnt matter. Two of the terminals are a light colorbronze or copper coloredand are called travelers.
Amazons choice for light switch screws. The screws also bore into holes on the electrical box behind them. Finally run the last 2 wire cable from the second switchs black screw to the light. Free shipping on orders over 25 shipped by amazon. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. Theyre in tabs on the top and bottom of each switch.
Get it as soon as thu jun 11. On the other side of this switch are two brass screws. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. How it works is that the hot wire coming in from the electrical panel is connected to the common screw of the first light switch in the circuit. One screw known as the common is a darker color than the others. The ground screw is usually green.
The traveler wires aka. 48 out of 5 stars 66. More buying choices 099 3 new offers. First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.
Gallery of Light Switch With 3 Screws
