How to Add a 3 Way Switch To an Existing Single Switch Location

In this video tutorial I show how to add a 2nd switch location to a single pole switch. It's a pretty easy connection, but you will have to run a 12/3 or 14/3 to the 2nd location depending on what size breaker is on your circuit. I am only showing the hookup not the actual routing of wire since all houses are going to be different. Here are some videos I did a while back to show some routing options:
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[@trueDQ]

Very extensive information without any fluff, and exactly what I needed to learn. Thank you.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're very welcome! So glad I was able to help... 😀

[@blessnorthamerica7919]

@@TheHomeImprovementChannel I was looking for ‘ dead -end’ 3 way switches wiring . Thank you so much . But I don’t understand why do you use white conductor attached to your black terminal and yet on your video screen you typed ‘ always use black conductor as common ‘ , quite confusing

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Do you have a time stamp? I forgot why I said that. You can use the white conductor as a hot conductor if you wrap black tape around it to indicate it's hot since white is usually neutral.@@blessnorthamerica7919

[@blessnorthamerica7919]

@@TheHomeImprovementChannel 4:39/8:06 . The words on your screen. 😊 as a newbie, it burns my head to understand you however I got it now , you mean we can choose any one of the three conductors ( black red white ) as the hot , but we have to mark it with black tape . And you also mean as long as we make the electricity going a circle from light back to the first 3 way switch and then second 3 way switch, then back to light . Do I understand you correctly? Your video on this dead-end loop configuration is very unique and helpful. Thank you so much . Please do more videos on old houses configurations . ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

HI, red and black are generally understood to be hot wires in normal circumstances. Sometimes people use the white wire as the hot wire so they don' have to figure out how to run another wire, but the white is generally not used for a hot wire. That's why you would wrap black tape around the white wire so that the next person to take it apart will see that and understand it's being used as hot. I hope that helps. The red and black wires don't need tape since they are used and understood to be hot anyway.@@blessnorthamerica7919

[@tez1369]

Exactly what I was looking for. I watched 15 other videos trying to figure this out and this was the only one that actually helped. Adding the common wire to the light hot wire was my issue. Thank you for making this video.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's so awesome! Glad I could help... 😊

[@lbadten]

Excellent video. Clear. Concise. Straightforward. Much appreciated.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Excellent! You're welcome... 😊😊

[@dstewart7470]

This project is on my list for tomorrow and I'm glad I found this video. Count me as another that found it to be demonstrated intuitively, thank you brother.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! Thanks for the great feedback. Hopefully it'll be an easy and straightforward project... 😊

[@dstewart7470]

@@TheHomeImprovementChannel it was indeed , thanks again!

[@chuckhowell626]

Remodeling our kitchen and there were two areas with a single switch we wanted upgraded to 3 ways. Your video made it very easy for me to understand what to do to add the additional switches. Thanks!!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! So glad it was helpful...

[@themeat5053]

Another good vid, Rudy. Well informed and presented (even I could follow along). You, obviously have an affinity for electrical work.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Wow! Thank you so much Meat for the great feedback!...

[@kadearnaya]

Thank you for the video… I just added the second switch.., very helpful

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Excellent! SO glad to help.. 😊

[@woodsmannorth9484]

I watched quite a few videos on how to convert a single to a 3 way. Yours was the only one that made sense. Thanks!!!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! Glad I could help... 😀

[@dpm1964]

This was a great and simple explanation. And I like that you referenced the code regarding the missing neutral. Thank you. You just earned a new subscriber.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM for the sub! Thanks for the great feedback...

[@markspinner7220]

Exactly what I’m getting ready to do to add a switch in basement for the stair light. Thanks for making it so easy to understand!!!!!👍🏻👍🏻 And the baseboard trick is awesome. I was gonna rip out the drywall and have to repatch it all.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! So glad I was able to help... 😀

[@alexchopper7997]

You sir are an excellent teacher.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM! I really appreciate that... 😊

[@alexchopper7997]

@ Curious.. could you have used the white and red as travelers, and connect the black wire to the hot light since black wires ate identified as hot anyway? That way you don’t have to put a black tape on the white wire.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

@@alexchopper7997 I have to have it in front of me to make a good guess on that!

[@markgriff9265]

Just what I needed to know! I am adding an additional switch to an existing light, room has to entries but they only put the light switch on one side of the room. Thanks for the detailed directions!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! I hope you get it done smooth and easy... 😊

[@gduval]

I followed the video with perfect results. Very easy to follow.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! SO glad to hear the video helped you..

[@billyoung8118]

Doing a major kitchen remodel, doubling its size. Literally getting ready to do exactly this. Replacing a 2-way switch that controlled an outlet (damn cheap builders), and moving that to control overhead lights, with another 3-way in a brand new island. Thank you!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Awesome! I like 3 ways, makes it nice to be able to control from different spots. A friend of mine is building a house and I suggested some 3 ways in a big area he has and he looked at me like I was nuts! He didn't want to buy the wire to make it all work... 😂

[@noahthompson9930]

Wow such a straight forward video, thanks so much

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! TYSM for the great feedback.

[@638taximan]

This is the one that finally made it through my noggin. Thanks!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Awesome! You're welcome and thanks for the great feedback... 😁😁

[@bhaail]

This was easy to follow. thank you for your help

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

So glad I could help... 😊

[@melvinlong6634]

Perfect for what I needed.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's awesome! SO glad to help. 😊

[@kenneycontracting7814]

So good! Straight to the point!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM! I really appreciate it... 😊

[@FreddyStarman]

I loved your video. great job. Thanks

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

TYSM for the great feedback! You're welcome.. 😊

[@rileyanderson4814]

absolutely perfect video, thank you!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're very welcome! So glad I could help. 😊

[@1957kwick]

Thank you so much for the info that you provided. It was really a big help.🇺🇸🍺🍺

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! So glad I could help... 😊

[@daviddombrowski240]

Thank you. I'm putting in a second switch in my basement this weekend.

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That's great! I hope it goes smooth for you... 😊

[@guitarhero9592]

Thanks again for another very informative video. The box with the 3 wire nuts looks like it would be tight. Would Wago connectors be best in a case like this?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

Yes wagos are good... The ganged boxes do have a rating for how many wires they can hold. It's a good idea to make sure you're good on that... IF you look at the back of the box they usually have the print in raised letters/ numbers.

[@derekmathis7622]

Perfect...thank you so much for this video!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! Glad to help... 😊

[@edwardbaker6362]

Excellent!! Thank you very much!!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!... I really appreciate it.

[@johnstrode9824]

Much appreciated the wal.k through

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!

[@lucidbeatsproductionstudio6419]

This was perfect thanks !

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! So glad I could help... 😀

[@DelusionalBrownsFan_96]

My existing single pole switch has a piece of black electrical tape around the white neutral wire. Can I still do this?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

That usually indicates a hot wire. It's probably a switch loop configuration, so probably not.

[@tonydtom536]

Great video thanks!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome! I appreciate the feedback..

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Thank you!

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

You're welcome!

[@joshgraham3676]

Can I do this with 14-2? Thanks?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

HI Josh... It depends on what your original circuit is and the breaker size... If your original circuit was 12/2 going to a 20A breaker, then no.

[@SerenoOunce]

Title says "Add *A* 3-Way Switch". You changed *BOTH*. Misleading and not helpful. Installed RF wireless switches before but most are unreliable. Maybe a way to add *A* switch using relays?

[@TheHomeImprovementChannel]

How is it misleading? I took out a single pole switch and replaced it with a 3 way.. Then showed how to add a 3 way in a 2nd location...