How to Wire a Three-Way Switch ?

1 Answer

Answer :

How to Wire a Three-Way Switch
A three-way switch is the most common system installed in residential areas. This system is used to control a light and receptacle or more from two different switches and locations. A good example of this is light in a bathroom that can be turned-off and on from the master bedroom or a child’s room.

There are many ways to wire a three-way circuit. We will just cover the basic wiring styles and methods. To start with, you need to prepare three-way switch cable wires with a ground wire. The other wires are the neutral wire, the power cable wire, and the switch or traveller wire.

This means that your cable should have a total of four wires. Four wires in the cable will appear that you will have four-way switches for your terminals that are also equivalent to having four terminals. Switches will work in combination with the two three-way switches to operate electricity to the lights and receptacles from three different locations.

For the switches, this system will require three-way switches. These switches are broader than regular single-pole switch mechanisms. Switches consist of three terminal screws. These screws are oftentimes found on the back of the housing switch or on its side.

One of three terminals can be easily marked and identified by a different color. It is commonly at the bottom screw on one side of other two screws. Marked terminals are usually tagged as the “common terminal” while the other two are called travellers. Names of the terminals simply show how they work. For this reason, electrical connection goes from one common screw that goes to one or the other travellers. This depends on the switch position.

These 4 terminals are brass in color. Support for traveller wires or hot conductors are provided by these 4 terminals. These wires act as recipients and transferrence of electricity that comes from other functional three-way switches. The four-way switch toggle is not marked with “on” and “off”. Markings are important because it is the only way to know the difference between the four-way and double-pole switch.

Usually, double-pole switches are marked with “on” and “off”. Thus, it is best to use #12 wires for indoor residential wiring. Check also your local electrical codes. Some countries like Canada require #14 wires for interior use. #14 wires are suggested to be used for protected circuits at 15 amperes.

Related questions

Description : How to Replace a Light Switch

Last Answer : How to Replace a Light Switch They say it only takes one idiot to change a light bulb, but to change a light switch requires the skill and carefulness of a handyman. If you have a malfunctioning or a ... doesn't have to be a hassle. Just remember these steps and switching a new switch will be easy.

Description : How to Install a Timer Switch

Last Answer : How to Install a Timer Switch A timer switch is a handy device that automatically turns off a switch after a fixed period of time. This is particularly useful when you have kids at home ... safety precautions when installing switches or anything that might put you in the direct path of electricity.

Description : How To Install A Dimmer Switch

Last Answer : How To Install A Dimmer Switch Having a room with a bright light is good, but there are instances when you need the lights to be lower than what you're accustomed. You need to have a dimmer switch, ... your home. Follow them properly, and you'll be able to fiddle with the light levels in your home.

Description : How to Wire Speakers

Last Answer : How to Wire Speakers Powerful speaker serve many purposes. Amongst these purposes are entertainment during special occasions and event sound system. To maximize its use, you need to understand how much ... long screws rather than short ones. Short screws may not be able to properly secure speakers.

Description : How to Wire a Lamp

Last Answer : How to Wire a Lamp Wiring a lamp is something you need to do just in case your lamp breaks, and it so happens you keep on forgetting to get it repaired. It's a relatively easy process, with ... by yourself will also be a great help if you found the perfect lampshade from the flea market. Good luck.

Description : How to Wire a House

Last Answer : How to Wire a House Wiring a home is a challenging but worthwhile task. Familiarize yourself with things involved in wiring a home before you start this project. Make this your first priority because ... out more by hiring someone with both experience and expertise to help you in your first attempt.

Description : How to wire a Ceiling Fan ?

Last Answer : How to wire a Ceiling Fan To wire a ceiling fan is a relatively easy project. Usually, it is similar to working on replacing an existing light fixture. However, you will also need to check the ... have a loose wire connection. In case your fan vibrates or shakes, check if the blades are balanced.

Description : Why should switch be connected only on the live wire and never on the neutral wire?

Last Answer : Current runs from the transformer, through the protective device, through the load and back through the protective device (if on RCD).  If the protective device is only a CB the current passes ... the circuit will operate correctly but this is an unsafe practice and does not meet the standards.

Description : Should I switch to a credit union?

Last Answer : I switched from a bank to a credit union a long time ago. Competitive interest rates, fewer fees, easier loan approvals, better customer service.

Description : Draw & explain touch plate switch using IC555.

Last Answer : It is construct form monostable multivibrator , when metal plates touch by finger then voltage at pin number 2 goes to below 1/3 Vcc then output of lower comparator becomes high hence flip flop set and ... then output of timer goes low and it low till up to the metal plates touch by finger .

Description : Give the function of fuse and switch.

Last Answer : Functions of fuse:  * To break the circuit under fault condition.  * To provide overcurrent protection to the circuit.  * To provide short circuit protection to the circuit.  * To provide ...  * To make the electric circuit manually.  * To break the electric circuit manually.

Description : State the function of : i) MCCB ii) ELCB iii) MCB iv) Switch. 

Last Answer : i) MCB: Provide short circuit protection & over load protection to electrical loads.  ii) ELCB: Provides protection by detecting the unsafe magnitudes leakage currents flowing to earth and disconnecting ... rating.  iv) Switch: Make and break the electrical connection to the load manually.

Description : Transfer switch

Last Answer : .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Description : How rating of main switch and cable is selected for Industrial Installation.

Last Answer : 1. Rating of Main Switch or Fuse Rating is decided in industrial installation: Rating of main switch or fuse is based up the starting current of motor. For calculating starting current is considered 2 ... take 1.5 times the rated current or full load current. & thus cable rating is decided.

Description : Earthing switch is used for?  (A) Measuring of safety voltage (B) Protection of equipment from ground faults (C) Discharging residual energies (D) All of the above 

Last Answer : Earthing switch is used for?  (A) Measuring of safety voltage (B) Protection of equipment from ground faults (C) Discharging residual energies (D) All of the above 

Description : The device which allows reverse power flow and withstands highest switch frequency is (A) GTO (B) MOSFET (C) IGBT (D) Inverter grade SCR

Last Answer : The device which allows reverse power flow and withstands highest switch frequency is MOSFET

Description : A switch tail ring counter is made by using a single D-FF. The resulting circuit is (A) T-FF (B) D-FF (C) SR-FF (D) JK-FF

Last Answer : A switch tail ring counter is made by using a single D-FF. The resulting circuit is T-FF

Description : A closed switch has a resistance of?

Last Answer : A closed switch has a resistance of zero.

Last Answer : The switch board instruments should be mounted in vertical position.

Last Answer : If the centrifugal switch of a two-value capacitor motor using two capacitors fails to open then Electrolytic capacitor will, in all probability, suffer break down.

Last Answer : Centrifugal switch disconnects the auxiliary winding of the motor at about 70 to 80 percent of synchronous speed.

Last Answer : In a single phase motor the centrifugal switch disconnects auxiliary winding of the motor.

Last Answer : A centrifugal switch is used to disconnect starting winding when motor has picked up about 50 to 70 per cent of rated speed.

Last Answer : A thermal protection switch can protect against overload.

Last Answer : Yes ,it is one of the main advantage using thristors as a  switch in DC  circuit ,it has a high current gain

Last Answer : Yes, SCR is a unidirectional switch.

Description : What are the desirable characteristics of ideal switch?

Last Answer : Desirable characteristics of the ideal switch: It is desirable to have power switches characteristics closer to ideal switch. The ideal switch should have the following characteristics. Zero resistance when ... . 100% efficiency. Able to control power flow with zero power dissipation.

Description : What is the difference between a switch and a relay?

Last Answer : Switch is simply a mechanical contact mechanism and relay is a electromagnetic switch . Switch can be direct mechanically turn on and off but relay can be operated by energising coil .

Last Answer : BJT act as switch in saturation and  cutoff region ( ON state in saturation region and OFF state in cut-off region )

Last Answer : Because it has a higher switching frequency and heat tolerance.

Description : What gauge wire is in ethernet cable?

Last Answer : “Cat 5 cable typically has three twists per inch of each twisted pair of 24 gauge (AWG) copper wires within the cables.” (source)

Description : What happens when a neutral wire touches a phase wire ?

Last Answer : Maximum current flow due to Short circuit, limited value of fuse will burn else apparatus and conductor will be damaged.

Description : Which wire can carry a higher current stranded wire or solid wire?

Last Answer : From the formula R=PL/A resistance rise with the fall of surface area ,inverse proportion relation between Resistance and Area ,so stranded wire has more area that a solid wire so more area less resistance. Less resistance/less electron flow opposition,more electron flow (current)

Description : State functions of ; i) Cable box ii) Guard wire iii) Shackle insulator iv) Stay wire used in service connection

Last Answer : i) Function of Cable box: To hold and inspect incoming and outgoing terminals  ii) Function of Guard wire : A grounded conductor placed beneath an overhead transmission line in order to ground ... in service connection: To give mechanical Support to pole, line and prevent leakage current if any

Description : The function of steel wire in ACSR conductors is (A) To take care of surges. (B) To reduce corona. (C) To reduce inductance. (D) To provide additional mechanical strength

Last Answer : The function of steel wire in ACSR conductors is To provide additional mechanical strength

Description : A fuse wire should have :  (A) Low specific resistance and high melting point (B) Low specific resistance and low melting point (C) High specific resistance and high melting point (D) High specific resistance and low melting point

Last Answer : A fuse wire should have : High specific resistance and low melting point

Description : Increasing the number of turns of wire on the secondary of a transformer will  (A) Decrease the secondary current (B) Increase the primary current (C) Have no effect on the secondary current (D) Increase the secondary current

Last Answer : Increasing the number of turns of wire on the secondary of a transformer will Decrease the secondary current 

Description : For a round wire, the approximate value of fusing current is given by

Last Answer : For a round wire, the approximate value of fusing current is given by  K√d3

Description : Aluminium is not used as winding wire for the armature of a dc machine because  (1) aluminium has low resistivity (2) a large winding space is taken by aluminium conductors and creates ... ) the thermal conductivity of aluminium is low (4) aluminium has low conductivity as compared to copper

Last Answer : Aluminium is not used as winding wire for the armature of a dc machine because  (2) a large winding space is taken by aluminium conductors and creates jointing problems (3) the thermal conductivity of aluminium is low (4) aluminium has low conductivity as compared to copper

Description : lf the wire which is vertical to this page has electron flow downwards the conductor will have

Last Answer : lf the wire which is vertical to this page has electron flow downwards the conductor will have a counter-clockwise field in the plane of the paper

Description : Nichrome wire is an alloy of?

Last Answer : Nichrome wire is an alloy of nickel and chromium.

Description : If a wire conductor of 0.2 ohm resistance is doubled in length, its resistance becomes?

Last Answer : If a wire conductor of 0.2 ohm resistance is doubled in length, its resistance becomes 0.4 ohm.

Description : The resistance of a few meters of wire conductor in closed electrical circuit is?

Last Answer : The resistance of a few meters of wire conductor in closed electrical circuit is practically zero.

Description : Wire-wound resistors are unsuitable for use at high frequencies because they?

Last Answer : Wire-wound resistors are unsuitable for use at high frequencies because they exhibit unwanted inductive and capacitive effects.

Description : A trolley wire weighs 1.2 kg per meter length. The ends of the wire are attached to two poles 20 meters apart. If the horizontal tension is 1500 kg find the dip in the middle of the span?

Last Answer : A trolley wire weighs 1.2 kg per meter length. The ends of the wire are attached to two poles 20 meters apart. If the horizontal tension is 1500 kg find the dip in the middle of the span 4.0 cm.

Last Answer : In order to achieve high accuracy, the slide wire of a potentiometer should be as long as possible.

Last Answer : The ground wire should not be smaller than No 10 copper.

Description : What happens when a current flows through a wire?

Last Answer : Current can produce two effect one is heating effect and second is magnetic effect.

Description : How do magnets and copper wire make electricity?

Last Answer : According  to  Faradays  law , a changing  magnetic  field  on  a  conductor  induses  current  in  the  conductor  through   mutual  induction.

Description : What is ACCC wire?

Last Answer : Aluminum Conductor Composite Core