How Do I Replace a 3-Way Switch? Which Wire Goes Where??

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When it comes to a complete house rewire, or even just a simple circuit installation, installing 3-way switching can be difficult for many new electricians (and even some seasoned ones!!) and can be the source of some power issues. In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin explains the process so it’s easier to understand.
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So, you are doing a remodel and need to put new devices in. but, low and behold, once you are done, the 3-way that WAS working, is now not working, or is working only when the switch is in one position. What happened? Chances are you got the travelers crossed with either the hot incoming wire or the load wire going to the light. Something that is relatively easy to do and pretty common but is easy to understand once you know how a 3-way switch works.
Let’s discuss first some of the items that are on a 3-way switch and how a 3-way switch works. There are 4 screws on a 3-way switch. A green screw, a black (or bronze) colored screw, and 2 brass-colored screws. The green screw is the grounding screw just like any other device. The black screw is either for the incoming hot (at the box where power is being taken from) or the load wire (at the box where power will be taken up to the fixture/fixtures). The other 2 brass-colored screws are for the travelers that link the switches together and allow power to be applied to a single fixture/fixtures from 2 separate locations. The hinging mechanism is attached (on the inside of the switch. You can’t see it unless you take apart the actual switch!) to the black screw and the other side of that hinge plate is touching the terminals of one of the two brass-colored screws, depending on which way you have actuated the switch. A 3-way switch is sending power constantly to one of those 2 brass screws, it just depends on which direction the switch has been placed in.
So, if you are in a remodel situation, the best way is to put the wires on the screws of the new device EXACTLY as you found them on the original. If the previous electrical contractor properly installed the device and it was working, then you are just replacing the wires on the device one for one. The incoming hot/outgoing switch leg goes on the black screw and the 2 travelers going on the brass ones.
There are a couple of tips that can help. First, unless its absolutely necessary, do not pull any more wires out of the box then you have to. The switch box could potentially be used as a junction box for something else and you don’t want any additional wires in the mix to confuse you. Another super good tip is to look at the sheathing on the cables themselves in the box. The cable that has a single black wire is either the incoming hot or the outgoing switch leg, while the cable that has a black and a red together are going to be your travelers. Especially in a residential installation, be mindful of the bare copper ground wire is not touching any of the other terminal screws or you will end up with a ground fault (and probably a lot of sparks!!) Always turn the power OFF when working on a 3-way switch so you do not get shocked. In addition, make sure the screws are tight on the device and provide the necessary torque with a torquing screwdriver (if the torque values are provided with the device).
We hope this has been helpful in understanding the process of installing a 3-way switch. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? Leave us a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity #3-way #switch #replace #journeyman

[@ThomasTomchak]

Finally, I can fix a switch in the basement that I messed up years ago and didn’t know how to fix. Thanks for this video. You’re a great teacher.

[@yOURCHRIST]

Go on his discord. Anything else that you can't get fixed on your own, he's got many people in it that helped me on a couple ratty wiring cases in my 1970s condo. Very helpful they are

[@ThomasTomchak]

@@yOURCHRIST thank you Chris!

[@Saturn_80]

I literally JUST commented the same thing. He has a simplistic yet prolific style of teaching.

[@showbizwisconsin8350]

This is by far the best 3-way switch explanation on KZbin. Great video

[@davids8493]

Couldn't agree more. 👏

[@lancemill5683]

Thank you so much, no one else explained the wires properly and where each should go from what sheathing. Helped alot

[@denjacqpaulsen626]

This is one of the best videos I have seen This guy is a GREAT teacher!

[@gstopper]

Great explanation!! Finally a video that brakes it down and simplifies things. Bravo.

[@aleue]

" When you can explain something simply, then you understand it well enough." This was the video that gave me the knowledge that I needed to fix a 3 way in my house. Nicely done, good sir!! I am very happy now. This video gets a like, and I am following your channel. Great job!!

[@aliviabrewe7908]

Thank you for thoroughly explaining how the travelers are in the same sheath. Understanding how something works makes it so much easier to remember the process when swapping these out.

[@ryanb23469]

This is one of the best videos to help for this! 3:20-4:00 is key information! Simple and specific. Thank you!

[@RCBInman]

Finally a video that solved our problem! Switching out to all new 3-way Leviton Dimmers and 3-way Leviton switches. Used a no touch voltage tester to test for the hot wire like every other video we watched said to do, only the "hot" wire changed with the position of the other switch, or we had multiple "hot" wires based on the freaking beeping tool. Haha! FIVE frustrating hours later and we finally stumbled on to your video. Why don't the Leviton videos tell you that the travelers come out of the same sheathing? THANK YOU for making this very easy to understand video. Made quick work of the rest of the switches we changed out.

[@Saturn_80]

I love you and your simplistic teaching strategy. However, I still need you to come over. Thanks!

[@leotexas3485]

I find that switch loops are the lessons I have to keep refreshing myself with the most of my apprenticeship. 😄

[@bobmcdoggish9659]

Great advice: The two travelers come from the same Romex cable and the single hot or leg comes from another Romex cable.

[@davids8493]

This is the description where the "light" came on for me. 👍👍

[@olson.pamela]

What if you are working in an old house and your box is jammed with 7 wires that all look black? Took me two months and major wall removal to figure it out. Haha “same sheathing”? What if there is NO sheathing. PLEASE make a video about troubleshooting. A swap in same for same with tips is good. But I need more. (Love your videos, this three way just brings back bad memories)

[@gpmaher]

Thank you! A quick solution to the problem i was having with a replacement 3-way switch. I did not know the placement of the two hot wires mattered. I do now👍

[@danieltholejr722]

Super helpful tips re: the travelers (using the same sheathing - and both going to gold terms) and the "feed" on its own and going to the black term. :)

[@augieschultz2530]

This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for not telling me how to wire a house, just how to tell which wires are which. Good job!

[@davidpollard3522]

You had me at 3way 😉😉😉

[@capita31]

Love this video! Helps make much more sense diagnosing and troubleshooting for me. Most guides are based on PROPER colors, wire setups, etc. And I’m probably not alone in saying the previous home owner of my house did not do things “Proper”. Keep up the incredible content and spreading knowledge my friend!

[@kwell2307]

Damn. Other videos showed the hot on gold and now I gotta redo all of them to black. Good channel.

[@eutychus7]

Appreciate you making this so easy to understand. Simple lesson for my simple mind and I finally got my 3-way working!

[@DominickRuocco]

A great video for homeowners and apprentices. One of the first things I learned was how to properly wire and install a 3-way.

[@n1lla]

Best video about this hands down. Thank you for posting this!

[@StrainingDingelberry]

I would love to see some more industrial type videos from you. Motor control stuff would be cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a plc cabinet or some crazy relay logic stuff.

[@myopinion4498]

I've worked on some express type car washes from the ground up. Motor controls are very detailed and intricate. Vfd's, inverters, lots of low volts, etc. Then the programming involved. I mean, it's a lot, which is probably why he hasn't took the time to make a video on it.

[@bobincypress4206]

Thank You Sir! My wife and I are old people 3-way switches were reversed. We now can live in our house.

[@jking50md]

Good video. We have now successfully replaced 45 switches (single, three and four pole) on our first floor. Thanks!

[@josephnicolas2158]

Amazing video as usual! Can you please do a video on wiring a four-way switch or five way switch so to speak anything higher than a three-way. I think it would really help a lot of us with the way you explain things so well! Much love, and happy new year!

[@sohmal3]

Very informative and easy to understand. Thank you.

[@willb3018]

Exactly what I needed today. Thank you. Clear and concise.

[@scott404]

You did such an awesome job explaining everything!!

[@efstro]

Thank you. I really like and will remember the insights about the 12-3 sleeve with two wires (red traveler) versus the 12-2 with a single (black) sleeve.

[@Whoisantt]

Great video. been doing maintenance for 8 years and never knew this !

[@ntimadtrproductions3141]

Thank you for the useful information, I fixed a switch that my contractor originally installed.

[@darylhitt-oi7lh]

Love it. I especially appreciate the tip that the two travelers are on the same wire.

[@monicagreen8902]

OMG this was the best and easiest to understand...I wish I had found this video before I paid someone to do the first one...I did the other ones after watching this!

[@davidkaehr1179]

Thank you for this explanation. Very helpful!

[@patsilvestri9325]

Thanks for posting this informative video. I replaced my 3W switch just like the original in the wall. took a pic so i was sure to put wires in correct position. BUT the original switch had the black screw on top, my new switch had the black screw on the bottom. Geez, you saved me!

[@marcalanstreeter]

This was a master class. Awesome teacher!

[@daveyoung8420]

Great work explaining it. Explaining that the two hots come from the same insulated line and can go in either gold screw was key.

[@cmanizzle]

Thank you this helped with my old house where the color of the wires means nothing.

[@kg1966]

Your video was a super help for me, thanks.

[@jeffchristensen691]

Thanks for this video and thorough explanation. I needed it!

[@jeffaustin1351]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge!

[@daveanandram1855]

On man, you really saved me today! A million thanks for this video....

[@CorneliusSmalleliterealtor]

I needed this for some reason my red wire is the hot wire. My previous switch had the red on the black screw. But you tip on. Che kick the sheathing was spot on. Thanks

[@siozer321]

Thanks so much for your videos man They’ve helped out so much at my job ! 👏🏻

[@brownthumbnursery]

It worked!😄. Thanks!

[@CarlosSanchez-qw5eb]

How are you doing hope that everything is going well for You. I'm very pleased with you patience ,the way exactly how you explained step by step all that We need to know. I'm very proud to keep learning from your experience ✨️ THANKS AGAIN

[@crbaileyfd]

THANK YOU!!!!! I finally understood how to fix the wiring!!! I had one switch turning off a light it had no business turning off lol!

[@willfergusson724]

Great simple video !!

[@elc2k385]

Awesome. Thank you, Dustin.

[@softcrunchsweets]

Tha.k you so much for the quick explanation. Very detailed. Thank you

[@vince6829]

Nice explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@Eddy63]

Great explanation as usual ... These type vids really help people ... Thx ...

[@i-amamerican3100]

suppppper easy to understand. thanks a bunch!!

[@shannonbuchko15]

Thank you for explaining this and in a way i can understand it. God bless you.

[@MrOOalb]

This was very helpful thank you

[@19993gt]

Ay yooo. Had to come back and see how you decipher a three way switch…. Because I’m sure it will be simple and ingenious

[@KameraShy]

Should check with non-contact voltage tester. 1) You can never be sure you have found the correct breaker - especially in old houses which are more likely to require the switch to be replaced and 2) As in this example there are other wires in the box that could be live.

[@johnaugustine311]

Thanks nice DYI helpful video.

[@shanekerner5229]

Ty brother well explained.

[@loribishop5376]

I concur, you are a wonderful teacher

[@fernandofrancisco3106]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It’s a great video very informative.

[@emt2q]

Love this man thank you

[@itsjoshwood]

Thanks for this video! I messed up a three way in kitchen and it was driving me crazy!

[@craigcraigster5605]

Thanks you are a life saver! Wished i looked at this video earlier.

[@megdahlin1118]

Thank you so much! Well explained. I have several of these switches that are older models in a house that I bought a few years ago. I would like to ask if joining this channel would give me access to answers to any questions that may pop up during the replacement/removal process ? TIA! Oh and by the way, I love my Electrician U T-shirt! Lightweight and comfortable.

[@edwinthomas618]

Awesome video.

[@kearybrun]

Thanks i had the two black wires backwards. It would blow the fuses when i used one side of the switch. Thanks for explaining this!

[@zman5015]

thank you dustin this video was really helpful. can you make more videos similar to these?

[@mathman0101]

Justin your the man. I hope you continue to do well. How is your son doing I hope he loves doing what you do. On torque specs we can rely on appendix I in the NEC 2023 code (Handbook version) for devices that don’t necessarily have torque specs.

[@rogerpenske2411]

This is where pulling different colored wire through conduit is very helpful: yellow and orange are single pole single throw (on/off. Single circuit) and the brown wires are travelers (single pole/double throw). If I were doing work in the land of Romax, I would be labeling Both the outer jacket, when necessary, and the individual wires with colored tape. Romax without labeling can become extremely difficult

[@rcartmell9163]

I be interested in seeing how a four-way switch set up is done. Great video and cleared up some questions I had regarding 3- way switches.

[@Mr.Sparks.173]

The switch will have 5 screws on it - 2 black, 2 brass / gold and 1 green. The black screws are one set, the brass screws are a second set. One set of travelers go onto one set of screws. I generally try to rough in the wires so that one set is physically separate from the other (like one set in the top, the other in the bottom) but it that isn't possible, I band one set of travelers with a strip of electrical tape (usually yellow) to identify what two belong to the same set.

[@jfarley1221]

Um, 4 way has 4 screws. Depending on the age of the 4way switch the wires coming from one point will be either on one side or the top side. The only switch I saw with 5 terminals is a 3way and a single pole switch.

[@TheForgottenMan270]

Easiest explanation for a 4-way switch is that it's an intersection for travelers. Instead of travelers going from one 3-way to another they go to an intersecting box, giving you a third switch or more. 4-way switches are purchased in a box and that box has instructions printed on the inside.

[@toddduncan247]

Thank you man.

[@dylanhiscock8549]

The white black and red definitely make identifying wires in my area easier!

[@dallasarnold8615]

Awesome ! I have had to correct this problem before, but it was just trial and error til I got it right. Way too much time that way. This makes too much sense. Makes me feel like a doofus for not having figured it out myself.

[@thatguy9045]

Good video!

[@bobwalsh57]

Thanks - short and sweet. It will be easy to remember. On the 3-way switch that mates with the first one, which wire goes on the black screw. The one going to the light or the device?

[@jakhan3067]

Very instructional...How would "replace" a 3-way switch with a switch/combination device. Thank You.

[@jaysarchive7325]

awesome! it works!

[@bradc009]

Thanks!

[@juanbautista7204]

Thank you I think I get. Mine had 3 black ones!! I was so confused I get now I think

[@paullimonere7805]

I just came across your channel and is full of great info, can you do a video explaining the difference between a switchgear, main distribution and secondary distribution, I ask this because I am working as a junior electrical estimator but I don’t know any thing about a building single line diagram and I always come across to those things, it would be helpful I you can give and inside of those things

[@berthongo8531]

Excellent

[@ncironhorse8367]

Great video. What if you have a black wire, white wire and a red wire? I am replacing switches and I when I took this three way off I lost track of the wire positions. Like I really can't see where the wires go into the sheathing very well.

[@TwilightxKnight13]

This is why I prefer to use conduit with three-way switching so I can use colored travelers (yellow/orange) to differentiate them from the hot/neutral/ground wiring. I've seen three-phase Romex that has brown/orange/yellow, but have never been able to find it and I expect it is more expensive

[@TheForgottenMan270]

I recommend not to use those three colors, brown, orange, yellow. Though it's not code electricians speak the same language and those three colors generally represent 277V/480V. They also can represent the three different phases in parallel circuits. So if an electrician saw those three colors in a home he may think 277V/480V. The three colors to use in a home is black, red, blue. Blue is generally used in three phase, but it's 120V/208V. And since homes use 120V/240V blue is an acceptable color in home applications. I only use blue on whites that are not being used as neutrals. A sharpie works well to rephrase to blue. The two colors you'll want to use as travelers, if using conduit, to differentiate from black, white, ground is red and blue. That's what's commonly used in home applications. No need to start confusing some people when you choose to sell your house.

[@GailUrge-vq6qn]

Is it really that hard for you or that confusing to you to label wires having tape with writing on it?

[@simnleen]

Muy Bien gracias 😊

[@dexterking7662]

Perfect 👍 hey, you think you can do a video on how to add an extra light on your ring floodlight camera

[@LeverActionLarry]

Thabk you for this

[@evega716]

Great Chanel 👍 👌 what kind of bags are those!?

[@rogerhodges7656]

I have had trouble in old work where the three-ways have terminals in different places or LED dimmers with leads.

[@hungthai1207]

Hi! I am a new subscriber, love your channel, specially those episodes about "CODES". Is it OK if I use the flexible cable like the one that comes with the EV charger for running about 25 ft. indoors from the main panel before exiting through wall and connecting to the charger. The circuit is 50A, 240V and the cable consists of 3- 6awg and 1-10awg flexible conduits. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

[@littlehuey5679]

I’m not an electrician, but buy and sell property. I see a lot of videos about replacing a none grounded receptacle with a GFI receptacle , so what about the other receptacles in the room? And or the receptacles down line what do you do to them , do you put regular 3 prong in them or do you leave the 2 prong and add an adapter?

[@jkey3835]

is it code to put 14 and 12 gauge wire together in one box?

[@jeffmeyers8726]

Cool refresher! And is it just me? I like the light to be OFF when all my 3-way and 4-ways are in the down position. I'll go back and swap one pair of travelers if not...

[@thedillpickle100]

I always use one of those generic porcelain lamp bases in the center of the room. That way I just run a string between the light and each doorway. 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ 😆 Seriously, nice explanation.

[@augustomarroquin4290]

Could you tell me what brand your tool holder is and where you bought it?

[@tomnielsen3661]

I don't know if you realize that how you explain things is very easy for me to understand. I am trying to relearn how to wire things. Long story short I fell and got a concussion, well I forgot how to do wiring. I forgot some other things too, but some of the stuff is coming back, not all of it. Little by little.

[@danielharris3461]

This is the best video i have seen, however, I bought a tester and have 2 hots and one traveler. What do i do?

[@jasonirion6664]

Dead end 3-way FTW ;)

[@timothybaker8234]

I took apart a three way once but it was wired differently. It only had one sheath and was wired with a black, red, and white wires. I had to go to its companion switch to see which one was the hot common wire.