You, sir, are the opitomy of confidence! I've followed your instructions many times in the past, only to see the results I had hoped for! Thank you for just being YOU! No sales pitching, no 30 min rhetorical explanations, and best yet, your confidence! I'm guessing in school you were extremely reluctant to do a class presentation? If my theory is correct, you have taken that fear and made it your b***h! Your the Best! Thank You, Craig!
I have 4 three way switches in my dad’s house which I am selling. After getting a testing device to find feed wire, I should have no problem fixing the two I couldn’t get to work. Thank You very much!
I've done a lot of wiring in my homes over the years including 3 way switches but I find that when I haven't been doing any projects for a few years and then attempt to wire one up I have to stop and think about it, sometimes for longer than I'd like to admit. Very glad I found your video. I'm in the process of gutting a summer cottage and will be rewiring the place shortly. I've laid out the wiring and I'll be using 3 way switches in at least half a dozen locations so this is a great refresher.
Getting ready to wire up lights and switches in my shop. Just watched like 4 videos on how to do a 3 way. Was still confused until I found your video. Thank you! Now lets see if I can do it!
There I was, attempting to wire my first WiFi smart switch, which also happened to be my first 3-way switch. This video made it happen, thanks for taking the time.
Your explanation is correct when the breaker pair terminate at one of the switches. I am in a 1950 Constructed home and there is a difference when the breaker and three way switches all terminate at the octogon box. 1) The breaker (white-black) pair terminates at the light's octogon box. 2) Each three way's cable from the switches terminates at the octogon box. 3) The travelers from the two switches are white+red. and they are marrated, white-to-white and red-to-red. 4) The white from the breaker cable and white from the light socket are joined (maratted). Left to connect are one black from each switch and one black from the breaker. 5) One black wire from the breaker goes to one black wire of one 3way switch, not to both black switch wires. 6) the remaining black wire goes to the hot side connector of the light socket. Done. If you were just replacing the one light socket with LED potlamps, there is no need to touch the switch connections. If you run into problems because you replaced existing switches with more modern ones.. 7) Just inspect that the switches are connected with black to the discolored screw (as per video diagram), and the white+red to the traveler connection screws. Usually, in older houses such as mine, rewiring was done to replace a fixture with LED pot lamps, wired in parallel. The wiring description within the video is for new construction. I am describing 1950 electric code practices that I encountered. I am in Canada, it could be that the standard for traveler pair are white-red. .
Always twist your grounds together with pliers before installing wire nut, then crimp a ferrule on them to assure proper bonding. Great video still thanks
so were using a 14/2 wire to feed the switch and a 14/3 wire to go from switch to switch and than using a 14/2 wire to go from the switch to the light fixture ?
Yes at least I can see where the red and black wires go but the commen in other videos and electrical guides is normally the white wire but I guess not in this application as he's using the black hot wire but of course the two white wires always get twisted together and stuffed away in light switch applications, at least I know that much LOL, so this video was more helpful than many of the other videos out there
Curios if there's a way to have both 3 way switches aligned. Meaning, the rocker switches are both facing down when the light(s) is turned off. I'm guessing it's as simple as turning the entire switch upside down before mounting it in the box? Just a bit of OCD on my part...
Great video Craig ! I do have a question though. Doesn't the same color traveler wires need to go to the same screws on both switches ? Thank You ! Bob
Running into an issue with an old 3 way switch in a 50s house with only black, white and ground. No red. Getting one switch to turn on and off only while the 2nd switch is turned on. Otherwise no juice to the replacement. Any suggestions? Great video. Well explained. 👍
What voltage should u see on the load side. When power is off? Ive seen this in a house where the neutral to hot is giving out 10 volts. I've seen another house giving out 60 volts. Is this normal
I have 3 switches, one light. I pulled covers, and find 2 3-ways, and 1 4-way. One of the 3-ways has blacks twisted together, of course. Grr. I'm thinking power feed is in the lights box. Guess, I pull the breaker, unhook switches and find out whats what. I'm looking to install a motion dimmer 3-way at one switch location. I do have access to all sides of light box, and tops of walls.
Craig, if you are teaching beginners, video should show the connections between the two switches and what kind of wires (2 or 3 wires cables) and then how the light connects. Details....
So i noticed that your traveler wires on both switches are flipped. One switch has a red on the right and the other has it on the left? Does that matter?
love you Craig. I am an apprentice but I have some time off due to the pandemic. I just don't want to be rusty when I get back. this is something that confuses me at work too but the jmen just keep laughing at me and telling me eventually it'll come to me. I just get lost at which wire goes to the light.and how is there two feeders. any of you experts out there also please reply just incase Craig never sees this.
I have a white hot wire in box B of the three way switch. Does that go into the black common screw? There is no neutral in this box unless the hot white wire is the neutral
You win the prize for the most practical instructions on wiring three-way switches. Thank you so much!
The BEST explanation of 3-way wiring-ever! Thank you for being so thorough!!!
Agree. As a beginner this is best video i have found
Thank you Craig. 2 hours trying to figure it out myself then I found your video and 5 minutes later it's done. Great job Great video.
Without a doubt should be the one and only explanation out there for everyone right before how to change a tire 😂 great job.
You, sir, are the opitomy of confidence! I've followed your instructions many times in the past, only to see the results I had hoped for! Thank you for just being YOU! No sales pitching, no 30 min rhetorical explanations, and best yet, your confidence! I'm guessing in school you were extremely reluctant to do a class presentation? If my theory is correct, you have taken that fear and made it your b***h!
Your the Best! Thank You, Craig!
I have 4 three way switches in my dad’s house which I am selling. After getting a testing device to find feed wire, I should have no problem fixing the two I couldn’t get to work. Thank You very much!
It has been many years since I did a three way switch. Thanks for reminding me of proper procedures.
Great instructional video, the best three-way switch explanation I have seen. I also like how you showed how to dress the wires properly.
Best 3-way switch video. Finally, I am confident in doing it. Great instructor. Thanks.
I've done a lot of wiring in my homes over the years including 3 way switches but I find that when I haven't been doing any projects for a few years and then attempt to wire one up I have to stop and think about it, sometimes for longer than I'd like to admit. Very glad I found your video. I'm in the process of gutting a summer cottage and will be rewiring the place shortly. I've laid out the wiring and I'll be using 3 way switches in at least half a dozen locations so this is a great refresher.
Getting ready to wire up lights and switches in my shop. Just watched like 4 videos on how to do a 3 way. Was still confused until I found your video. Thank you! Now lets see if I can do it!
I was completely messed up until I watched this video. 👍 Kudos for the clear explanation!
Thank you so much my brother
U are the best instructor in wiring a three way switches.
I am Sooo glad I found your video. I was running around in circles trying to figure this out. You are on point. Thanks!
Your constantly explaining, including different terms, is very helpful. Nice job. Thank you
There I was, attempting to wire my first WiFi smart switch, which also happened to be my first 3-way switch. This video made it happen, thanks for taking the time.
Mr. Sparky you are a good Very good Instructor, very explaing the 3 way switch.
That my friend was an excellent tutorial on how to wire three way switches. my hat is off to you.
Great explanation you've really jogged my memory since high school I took up electrical work there but haven't really used it in yrs thank you
Kkkm
So many books and videos and you finally make sense. Hoping I just run another traveler over to another switch in same box for outside light? Anyone?
Simple and precise ! Thanks for a great demo
Perfect explanation craig! Thank you
OMG! Thank you. I have a rose colored screw and know one has mentioned a rose colored screw only black colored! Thank you sooooo much!
Thanks for the great information. You are very good at explaining this sparky stuff. Thumbs up Bro!
Best video I have seen on this topic
Thank so much dude, this was driving me nuts.
Your explanation is correct when the breaker pair terminate at one of the switches. I am in a 1950 Constructed home and there is a difference when the breaker and three way switches all terminate at the octogon box.
1) The breaker (white-black) pair terminates at the light's octogon box.
2) Each three way's cable from the switches terminates at the octogon box.
3) The travelers from the two switches are white+red. and they are marrated, white-to-white and red-to-red.
4) The white from the breaker cable and white from the light socket are joined (maratted).
Left to connect are one black from each switch and one black from the breaker.
5) One black wire from the breaker goes to one black wire of one 3way switch, not to both black switch wires.
6) the remaining black wire goes to the hot side connector of the light socket.
Done.
If you were just replacing the one light socket with LED potlamps, there is no need to touch the switch connections.
If you run into problems because you replaced existing switches with more modern ones..
7) Just inspect that the switches are connected with black to the discolored screw (as per video diagram), and the white+red to the traveler connection screws. Usually, in older houses such as mine, rewiring was done to replace a fixture with LED pot lamps, wired in parallel.
The wiring description within the video is for new construction. I am describing 1950 electric code practices that I encountered. I am in Canada, it could be that the standard for traveler pair are white-red. .
I agreed with you Leslie!! hsthu@yahoo.com
Thank you so much this is the best video I saw explain for three way switch 👍👍👍
That was an awesome explanation! Thank you so much. Now I can fix my three way switch that must be crossed.
super video, the "point" made it all come alive for me
Hmmm...excellent tutorial.....well spoken and highly intelligent....thank you !
Thank you for an easy to understand video, keep up the good work!
Thanks for the explanation - I now understand how it works and I fixed my problem.
Thank you very much! Totally useful!!
Thank you for taking the time to teach teacher!!
That was very helpful
I will refer to this again when I actually wire the switches.
Thanks funnt that I couldnt find a video that explained this. Cheers!
Great explanation. Even I understand it. Now to go out and fix the cross wired 3 way in the garage.
Thank you very much...the best explanation ever...you did great...
Great instructions
thanks. have no idea how much this helps.
Awesome Explanation.....
Extremely satisfied, problem solve
Appreciate your videos Craig. Please make many more covering several topics.
Again Thank You, I did it and it worked. AWESOME VIDEO
Great review of a 3-way switch. Best I've seen so far. TY!
Always twist your grounds together with pliers before installing wire nut, then crimp a ferrule on them to assure proper bonding. Great video still thanks
Excellent presentation
I fully understood your lesson, I appreciate the lesson, thank you
Love the video keep up the videos and thank u brother
Great job, never understood this until now, fixed my issue,
Thanks for vid. Helped me get my problem fixed!
Great video easy to understand thank you so much!
God I really appreciate our electrical in Australia
Great explanation..... thank you sir!!!!
I appreciate you so much keep it up bro
Thanks.
Thanks a lot for your lectures
That's so great
GREAT VIDEO!!!!!
Thank you 🙏🏾
Thanks, Craig! This was very helpful!
Hg3f
Great video. Thanks for the help.
wow why cant school just show me these videos wtf! thank you
Great 👍 job
You are really good 😊
Good Stuff Craig! Subbed!
Thank you.
Thanks for this good video, Ill see what I can do
so were using a 14/2 wire to feed the switch and a 14/3 wire to go from switch to switch and than using a 14/2 wire to go from the switch to the light fixture ?
Thank you, will try to fix my 3 way.
thank you so much. great video.
Great video and explanations. Great detail and workmanship.. 👍👍👍
Can u explain the Flux Capacitor??
Great explanation 👌
Good job brother
Perfect explanation! Thank you!
Guy kpiind\ BHIh but cynical8h
Great 👍 thanks
Yes at least I can see where the red and black wires go but the commen in other videos and electrical guides is normally the white wire but I guess not in this application as he's using the black hot wire but of course the two white wires always get twisted together and stuffed away in light switch applications, at least I know that much LOL, so this video was more helpful than many of the other videos out there
Curios if there's a way to have both 3 way switches aligned. Meaning, the rocker switches are both facing down when the light(s) is turned off. I'm guessing it's as simple as turning the entire switch upside down before mounting it in the box? Just a bit of OCD on my part...
Great video Craig ! I do have a question though. Doesn't the same color traveler wires need to go to the same screws on both switches ?
Thank You !
Bob
thanks dawg
Running into an issue with an old 3 way switch in a 50s house with only black, white and ground. No red. Getting one switch to turn on and off only while the 2nd switch is turned on. Otherwise no juice to the replacement. Any suggestions? Great video. Well explained. 👍
What voltage should u see on the load side. When power is off? Ive seen this in a house where the neutral to hot is giving out 10 volts. I've seen another house giving out 60 volts. Is this normal
It was really helpful
Good
How about wires some light fixture?
Ok but could you wire up a 3 way motion sensor ??? I find it easier to use an on off switch instead of a 3 way switch
Thank you!
I got it now...thank you
I have 3 switches, one light. I pulled covers, and find 2 3-ways, and 1 4-way. One of the 3-ways has blacks twisted together, of course. Grr. I'm thinking power feed is in the lights box. Guess, I pull the breaker, unhook switches and find out whats what. I'm looking to install a motion dimmer 3-way at one switch location. I do have access to all sides of light box, and tops of walls.
Is the common the hot wire?
Craig, if you are teaching beginners, video should show the connections between the two switches and what kind of wires (2 or 3 wires cables) and then how the light connects. Details....
Didn’t see how he wired the light bulb?
So i noticed that your traveler wires on both switches are flipped. One switch has a red on the right and the other has it on the left? Does that matter?
As far as the TRAVELERS no it does not matter!! Just as long as you know that the travelers are the same on both ends. CM
How would the connections go when there are 2 lights controlled by 2 switches ?
Do you have any videos on this or suggested videos/diagrams ?
Wondering the exact same thing, great question!
Hope we can get a video or explanation asap
Just found this channel and you've got a subscriber in me.
Thank you!!! I appreciate the support!! CM
love you Craig. I am an apprentice but I have some time off due to the pandemic. I just don't want to be rusty when I get back. this is something that confuses me at work too but the jmen just keep laughing at me and telling me eventually it'll come to me. I just get lost at which wire goes to the light.and how is there two feeders. any of you experts out there also please reply just incase Craig never sees this.
I have a white hot wire in box B of the three way switch. Does that go into the black common screw? There is no neutral in this box unless the hot white wire is the neutral
At last, I understand!
We wouldn’t have any of that bare cable lark ..always sleeve up the earth cable 😢😢😢
Thanks!
at school (ati las vegas) they teach us to not use a wire nut with a hole on top.....just a random comment for me to share
u suppose to put a grounding sleeve on the copper wire, but great vid