Wire 3 way Switches and other Wiring Diagrams
Below are some of the most common wiring diagrams you will encounter in your home for outlets, switches, and major appliances. Wiring 3 way switches seems to be the most popular topic so I've included lots of diagrams for those. Three-way switches allow you to control lights or receptacles from two points. These are commonly used for lighting in a stairway where you want a switch on each floor entering the stairway. Three-way switches are also common in hallways, garages, and kitchens.
Four-way switches are very similar in design to three-ways and are used to control lights or receptacles from three or more switch locations.
How to Wire a Light Switch
Wire a light switch (power into light)
Wire a light switch (multiple lights from one
switch)
Wire
a light switch (multiple lights and multiple switches)
How to Wire a 3 way Switch
Wire a 3-way switch (power into light)
Wire a 3-way switch (multiple lights)
Wire a 3-way switch (light between switches)
Wire a 3-way switch (light between switch but
power into light)
Wire a 3-way switch (multiple lights between
switches)
I bet you never knew there were so many different ways to wire 3 way switches. Almost every 3 way switch configuration you will encounter in a home will be based on one of these diagrams.
How to Wire a 4-way Switch
Wire a 4-way switch (All wires to one box)
How to Wire a Ceiling Fan
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Light Dimmer with Fan Switch)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Separate Light and Fan Switches)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Power into Fixture #1)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Power into Fixture #2)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Power into Fixture, Single Dimmer)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Power into Fixture, Switch Loop)
Wire a Ceiling Fan (Single Switch)
How to Wire an Exhaust Fan
Wire an Exhaust Fan (Timer Switch)
Wire a
Bathroom Fan (Light Switch and Fan Timer)
How to wire an outlet
How to Wire Major Home Appliances
Common Electrical Wiring Diagrams
Frequently Asked Electrical Questions
Wire Gauge and Voltage Drop Calculator
NEC Reference Tables (2011, 2008, 2005, 2002, and 1999)
Residential Electrical Guidelines and Codes
Rough-In Electrical and Pulling Cable
Sizing Your Electrical Service
Electrical - Main Service Line Installation
Click the icons below to get our NEC® compliant Electrical Calc Elite or Electric Toolkit for Android and iOS. The Electrical Calc Elite is designed to solve many of your common code-based electrical calculations like wire sizes, voltage drop, conduit sizing, etc. The Electric Toolkit provides some basic electrical calculations, wiring diagrams (similar to those found on this website), and other electrical reference data.
