A three way switch is built and wired a little differently than a conventional single pole light switch.
How to wire a three way light switch with dimmer.
At the 3 way switch the white cable wire is marked black and connected to the common terminal.
If only one switch controls the light purchase a single pole dimmer.
These wires attach to the travelers which are the pair of wires attached to the two screws at one end of the regular 3 way switch.
Wiring a standard 3 way dimmer switch.
Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.
With a three way dimmer you can control a light with two switches.
But if you re replacing a three way switch with a three way dimmer label the common wire it ll be labeled on the old switch when you remove the old switch so you can connect it to the common terminal on the dimmer.
A ground wire a hot lead wire and two travelers to allow for a connection to another switch or outlet.
If two switches control a single light or a group of lights you will.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
The source hot wire is spliced to the common on the dimmer and the neutral is splice through to the light fixture.
From the dimmer 3 wire cable runs to the other switch and 2 wire cable runs to the light fixture.
These diagrams illustrate how to wire a pair of three way light switches in three different situations.
3 way dimmer switches typically come with the following pre wired leads.
You will need a three way dimmer and a three way switch.
3 way switches are also marked with four wires in the wall outlet.
Attach to the bonded ground wire s in the switch box.
How to wire a three way dimmer switch.
Three way light switches control a light from two locations such as from both ends of a staircase or hallway.
Wiring a 3 way light switch.
They allow you the ability to turn the lights on or off from either location.