How to Wire and Install 3-way Switches

In this video I show how to wire and install 3-way switches

[@masterswimmer491]

I've been intimidated by a 3-way that needs replacing for about a year. Your video was spot on, to the point, short, no BS, well done!!! Thanks!

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm so happy that I could help

[@11co5955]

Simple, short, and informative. You didn't waste my time. I wish more tutorials were like this!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you like my video

[@hungry6012]

That intro is enough of an incentive for a subscription

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much!

[@CTG01]

Best tutorial for a 3 way switch. Clear and easy for anyone to understand. Thanks!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@vinnyditty8775]

Your tutorial is explained clearly and without clutter around the wires, switches and light. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you for watching it

[@waynemiller6070]

As I was preparing to do my first 3-way wiring I was thinking that I would like to do a small model to make sure it's done right before running wires of any length. Voila! You have done the work for me and given a good explanation along the way. Thank you so much.

[@MechanicalChaos]

So glad I could help

[@KevinSmith-hj6fm]

I have watched several videos about 3 way switches, and yours is by far the best. Thank you.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@bdean1481]

Short, sweet, simple.. Perfection

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your praise

[@Pensacola-Handyman]

Have to say your video so far is the best. Like the actual install shown, and not trying to look into a box that already had the wires hooked up. Good job man.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@user-gv7ei2rh2u]

Great explanation made my home project easier to do.

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm so glad my video was able to help

[@x2kzx]

thanks man I had to do this for a school project. This helped a lot!

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad my videos able to help you hope you got an A thanks

[@randyvelasquez227]

Thank you very much! I have watched many videos on this and I kept getting mixed up with where the wires came from and which actual wires hooked up to where, which made me feel a bit uncertain. However, after watching your video, everything was super clear! You showed us everything separately, showed us each wiring and explained it perfectly. This made perfect sense to me and made me feel completely comfortable doing something like this on my next project!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much, I'm really glad that I could help

[@mjolnirswrath23]

@@MechanicalChaos now how do you do it without the Carrier wire?

[@mjolnirswrath23]

Using ONLY 3 wires.

[@MechanicalChaos]

It sounds like you might have a dead end 3wayone box will have 3 wires, the other box will have 2 of those wires on the 3way as travelers, use those same wires on the switch with just 3 wires and use the other wire as your common

[@mjolnirswrath23]

@@MechanicalChaos like a water circuit...thank you.

[@GPERZ208]

Thank you so much. I've been doing all the remodeling on my house and this 3 way switch really had me stuck. Been using a lamp in our living room for about 3 months now lol. But Not after today!!!

[@MechanicalChaos]

I am so glad to hear that and happy I could help

[@greggschumaker550]

Very good, clear, concise explanation of how to wire a 3-Way switch.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Gregg Schumaker thank you, I am happy that you liked the video

[@scottgentry3543]

This was 3rd and last video I watched on 3 way switches. Very well communicated, thanks.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Scott Gentry i am glad that you found my video so useful

[@jimstevens2668]

You made this look very easy, thanks for the video.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you for the Appreciation

[@jerryhoogeveen]

I hate to admit this but I have a hallway light that hasn't worked right since I put new switches in...2 years ago. 5 mn video and boom! Fixed em. Thanks!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad I could help!

[@mookeythepimpthompson6031]

You’re a natural my man. Thank you for the upload.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you!

[@johnwallacemcclure1143]

Followed your advice and got both my 3ways working perfectly. Thanks so much!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to be avle to have helped

[@GARDNSOUND]

Great video. Simple explanation, concise and easy to follow.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@bruceprosser8332]

Thank you for making this so much more simple than what I have seen other videos. Thanks again!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I am glad you found my video helpful

[@Elfamliapalaciosshow]

Good one. Simple and straightforward

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@RL-ci1me]

Excellent! Easy to understand and easy to follow. This is my next project. Thank you.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you for the kind words, glad to help

[@TexasBuyer2001]

Good video. Very clear, especially with the demo mounted on the same wooden board. Thank you for making the video.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much

[@theman6841]

Black wire with black screw! So simple! (Kinda what I thought) went through several schematics and vids B4 I found this one to get my switch to work right!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to have been able to help

[@cesar464747]

Bro best tutorial 👍👍👍👍 made it so simple

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much I'm glad you feel that way

[@davidborrego5089]

Great video! Others usually make your 5 minute video last about 20 minutes and aint nobody got time for that! Your easy to follow play by play gives me all the confidence I need to tackle a couple of projects I've been putting off.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, that means a lot

[@LFL-qp1fg]

Wow.

[@ronaldnorris2179]

Good Job and to the point!!! Short and GREAT!!!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@speedyx209x]

Very easy explanation , it helped me fix bathroom light where one switch had to be on for the other to work which made no sense , thank you

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad I could help

[@yoshi215]

Thank you so much. After watching your video, I found out what I did wrong. 👍👍👍

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to have been able to help

[@jorgemontano3988]

Thankyou man Keep coming with more video It was so clear your explanation I want to learn more electrical from you

[@MechanicalChaos]

That means so much, Thank you

[@jimb196233]

Thats awesome n the absolute best explanation Ive seen. Wow I finally understand it

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, that is a huge compliment!

[@mjsoup29]

Clear and good instructions and some good pointers - very helpful. Thank you!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I'm glad I could help

[@johnchlipala5079]

Thanks allot ! Doing a job and managed to get some wires crossed ...you guys saved my bacon ! Excellent video !

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad I could help!

[@fillalau]

Best video on 3 way switch wiring, thanks.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Fil Lalau glad you like it, thank you

[@philipwoolridge7141]

Great vid, thank you for addidng the notes like the brass vs black screw. I just replaced a system that had me messed up, because the previous system used the red as the hot wire instead of the tracer/link wire. I know the colors dont matter too too much but this vid helped and fixed the problem i ran into Thanks again

[@MechanicalChaos]

So glad my video was able to help :)

[@gcmlin629]

Thank you very to teach me 3 way switches .you are very excellent.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you for your kind words, I'm happy to have been able to help

[@garydarkcloud]

Found this very useful as I will be building a shed and putting in my own electric sockets and lights.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to help, I also have videos for putting in gfi plugs and regular plugs, you'll definitely want to gfi protect any plug you put in your shed

[@MechanicalChaos]

Probably one in the house and one in the shed

[@meh6953]

Thank you for the informative video. It helped a lot.

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm so glad to hear that!

[@jandjmca]

Grate video , first time seeing green pass through connecter, I have had that problem many times

[@MechanicalChaos]

+jandjmca mcavoy thanks, those gounding wire nuts are very handy, glad you liked the video

[@stephaniemartin5744]

All I can say is Wow1 You make it look easy....can you come to my house and do mine? lol...going to save this video and have it with me when I put in that much needed extra switch....thank you...why does your video make me feel like I want to go and drink a beer???

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, feel free anytime to ask any questions you might end up having

[@emrald12345678]

You sir are God sent

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words

[@sonicgauge1]

Thank you, I love how you sped up the footage a little to get through it with out us goin "come on man get to it already"

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I've felt that way about a few of my own videos

[@jamesscheidt4278]

Nice job! Very clear and understandable.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@Lev10thanGaming]

This video got me a raise

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad to hear that, keep up the good work

[@edardonn2053]

Thank you so much,this is the best video in youtube related to 3 switches.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Ed Ardonn thank you very much,that means a lot

[@MrJameslewis530]

There's a more comprehensive tutorial video that explains how three ways. Once I understood the theory. A light bulb went off and "now I get it".

[@hascid1412]

That was very clear explanation 👌👏

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@eanschlotzhauer8059]

Great video 👍 I was a little confused on a hall way light an we wanted a switch an both ends of the hallway

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, feel free to ask any questioms you may have

[@TiberiusCat]

Excellent video. I'm not sure what you mean by traveler wires, but I can look it up. Thank you!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you . The Traveler wires are the wires that go between the two three-way switches as in they travel between the switches

[@dallas5374]

CM use cat5 wire. Works great.

[@garyrentschler]

This is a great video; you do a wonderful job explaining and demonstrating what has to happen. I just can't believe how fast you work!! In awe!

[@MechanicalChaos]

That means a lot, thank you. Fast forward helps :)

[@reynaldovalle1773]

Great and easy video to understand thank you very much for sharing this with us I just did what a relief....😁👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm happy to have been able to help

[@reynaldovalle1773]

@@MechanicalChaos Thanks 😁😁👍👍👍👍👍 it was just so easy and simple the way you explained it and did it I don't understand why other people can't do it explain it that way they make it so difficult thank you once again..

[@MechanicalChaos]

That mean a lot to me, thank you

[@BahianoReno]

Great job, thank you for sharing, keep safe and enjoy life

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thanks! I appreciate that

[@wiclsurge]

Very good explanation

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@jgocar24]

Good video. Very simple explanation.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@stephaneplante8289]

Thank you so much, you just saved my wedding, because I told my wife I was able to do that job

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to hear it!

[@coldkidc]

Are you sure that's the type of 3 way she was talking about?

[@MrJawnyNumFive]

@@coldkidc Lmao!

[@buzzpatch2294]

thx was exactly the refresher i needed

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to have been able to have helped

[@Aspiremp]

Thank you... well done and easy to follow!

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad you think so, thank you

[@merlin3921]

Great video! Thanks for posting.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@rickthatcanadianguy]

Great video, the best one on 3 way switches I have seen.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@doc2936]

Awesome video. Can you make a video of a three way to the left and right with a circuit in the middle? Power coming in from left 3 way switch

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I'm not sure what you mean, this works as long as one switch has the power and the other has the switch wire

[@janhachicho3373]

Thank you for your help was very nice of you

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad to have been able to have helped

[@2bc359]

Good video. I honestly don’t know who’s worse, the builders that put the switch on the side of my laundry room in a counterintuitive (opposite side from where it should be) location, or the original buyers that likely cheaped out on having two switches installed. Both were jackwagons in my opinion. 😂 Anyway, thanks for making this video man. 🍻🇺🇸🍻

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, good luck with your laundry room, if you are goimg to turn a single switch into 2 3way switches, you'll probably need to wire it as a "dead end 3way"

[@2bc359]

Thanks brother! Just out of curiosity, why do you think it would likely need the California 3 way? I’d like to keep this as simple as possible. 🍻🇺🇸🍻

[@MechanicalChaos]

If you are turning a single switch, both your power and switch line would be in the same box and the normal way to wire a 3way has power in one box and the switch line in the other box

[@Young937phoenix]

Thanks for the video. It helped alot.

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad I was able to help you

[@enjoythemoment8973]

This vid has earned a comment and a like, thanks man, great vid

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad you liked the video, I appreciate the like and comment, thank you

[@sexzeyes5050]

I was at my girlfriend home and it only had three wires. I watch several video's be for I got to yours. You explaining thing help me figure out the problem with her switches which. When she had the switches changes out years ago the person use the common wire at the ground wire because there was only three wires. Your video help me figure out he had wired the switch back incorrectly. Plus, my girlfriend now knows none of her switches have a ground wire. Now we are curious, is not having ground wire for the switches dangerous?

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad that my video was able to help you. You're correct that having no ground wires is unsafe but it could be that the ground wires hook to the Box itself.

[@sexzeyes5050]

@@MechanicalChaos yes I thought of the ground wire theory after my post. Thank you again for the video. I got special kisses because of you😁😂!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Fantastic!

[@DanielRamirez-bm3lu]

Nice video, very simple to learn🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

This video was very helpful. Thank you!😀👍

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm happy to have been able to help

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

@@MechanicalChaos You saved the day for myself and my family. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!😀👍

[@ourleopardtortoises6543]

Great video I was wondering how it was done will be asked at work to do one

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad I was able to help you

[@danielhuynh01]

Thank you so much, simple but effective

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, I'm glad you found it helpful

[@leletipiham8156]

Thanks so much. I think should also show clearly the connection to the bulb and the receptical

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, hopefully I can get to doing a light fixture video, but here is how to wire up a receptical kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaooKGqrs19Y8k

[@tevman69]

One word, excellent!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much that means a lot

[@brucedickey5155]

Good job explaining a three way install. I like to use the term Rough-In and Final as well.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, that means a lot

[@rafaelchavez9995]

You're awesome son thanks

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@likeanorc]

Hey thanks bud, I was able to use your video to figure out what I was doing wrong, that’s why I’m a contractor and not an electrician lol

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad I could help

[@darioushdadyan1288]

Best way to explain it thank you

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad my video was so helpful

[@sarahjane2647]

both switches have to be 3 way, cant use a regular switch, i figured that shit out in a hurry lol you are great, keeping talking!

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Sarah Jane thank you very much

[@sarahjane2647]

you rock

[@joelsalcido9241]

Thank you very much, you make it looks soooo easy to do.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+joel salcido glad you like the video, it looks easier when the switches are next to each other instead of down the hall

[@rodhogfishn]

I like simple. Thanks

[@MechanicalChaos]

No, thank you

[@OZICCA]

Nice video man thanks.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@johnmoyer2849]

Thanks so much.you made it so simple

[@MechanicalChaos]

I am so happy to hear that, thank you

[@collaponce80]

Great job 👏🏼

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you. I am very glad you think so

[@collaponce80]

@@MechanicalChaos yeah it really help me with what I’m doing in my house, I really appreciate the way you explain everything, awesome job. Thank you

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you so much I'm really glad I was able to help with my video

[@mikel917]

Excellent!

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@theangryrktkt8385]

Am I mistaken or is there a matching series that the traveler wires have to connect to? I ran a three-way and it is not working right now, except one side only so before I completely take this switch apart I’m wondering if there is more to it than what was shown here.

[@MechanicalChaos]

If only one side of the three-way is working, more than likely One of your commons and your traveler on one side of one switch got mixed up. Your travelers go on the screws that are the same color and you're common goes on the different colored screw

[@allappleaccess]

I like your channel a lot and you were very helpful thank you

[@MechanicalChaos]

+All apple access thank you very much, I am glad that you like my channel

[@janhachicho3373]

Thank you very good

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@rickeykeeton4770]

I have a house I am renovating. It had two three switches. Neither work completely independent of the other. Could the hot be in the wrong terminal in one of them? I think I also noticed the white wire is on what I would think is the ground terminal on one of the switches. One switch had to be in a certain position for the other to work. I assume it is the first in that circuit going to the fan/lights. I might need to recheck to make sure they are actually three way SWITCHES.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Could be hot/switch wires mixed up with travelers, or maybe one is a single pole switch

[@lordvader1342]

Awesome video explanation. Thank you.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad you found it useful

[@AbuTaher-wm6uw]

You make it easy for us ... Thank you

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Abu Taher Thank you, glad to help

[@briankudalis9572]

Your ground is good . Your neutral is good . Your common is good . But you have to emphasize the red and black traveling wires need to be on same terminals duplicating each switch . If they are reversed it will trip the breaker .

[@MechanicalChaos]

No it won't, that doesn't even make sense, how does the electricity know what color the coating is, it is the same electricity, as long as they are on the brass screws.

[@binhminh417]

Great tutorial video! I followed your instruction, testing each wire and 3-way switches and checking the wire connection. They're all correct, but the working-light is still not on. Appreciate all your help.

[@MechanicalChaos]

+Binh Minh Pham try replacing the light bulb if that doesn't work pull down the fixture and check for power at the ceiling. Check the hot wire with the ground wire, then check the hot wire to the neutral wire.

[@jashimuddin7716]

Thank you very much

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad you found my video helpful

[@jeffharford3693]

I read through all the comments and I can’t believe nobody asked you this question... what was that wizardry you did to connect the ground wires??? Instead of taking a pliers and putting a curl on the end, you did what? Somehow steadied the wire and twisted the switch around it? I have never seen that before! Was it a special feature of the switch? Can you please explain how you did that? Thank you.

[@MechanicalChaos]

There is a little tab on the metal that the ground screw is on that lets that wire wrap around like that

[@papichulo5667]

Thanks brother good explanation

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad you liked my video

[@manuelsalgado8510]

How would you connect the wire if your taking power from an outlet with 14-2 wire? Thanks so much for the video bro, helped me big time

[@MechanicalChaos]

That would just be your power into the switch, and if possible have your switch wire come from the other switch. If you have to have power and switch wire in the same box, you would need to do a "dead end 3way"

[@manuelsalgado8510]

Mechanical Chaos you lost me on the dead end 3 way

[@MechanicalChaos]

If the switch line and power are in the same box with a 14-3 all in one box and only the 14-3 wire in the other box is called a "dead end 3way" but if power is in one box and the switch wire is in the other with a 14-3 wire between the boxes, it would be the same as what is shown in the video.

[@paulwhite9848]

Nice clear instructions subscribed

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you

[@victorperez1734]

Good video

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you very much

[@ibelieveinkl8949]

Good stuff. Many thanks.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thank you, glad you liked the video

[@fatalbaaj]

Thank you so much. That was a very helpful video

[@MechanicalChaos]

I'm glad you found my video helpful

[@HOPKINSMALIK]

Thanks man, needed this information 🔥

[@MechanicalChaos]

Glad my video was useful

[@roberthcastellanos7226]

Good brother.

[@MechanicalChaos]

Thanks