The Best 3 Way Switch Explanation Ever!
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- Опубликовано: 24 июн 2018
- A 3-way switch circuit is explained and described in detail, including visual animation and practical application. Video includes the bonus addition of adding a 4-way switch.
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I watched dozens of videos like this and this is the only one that allowed me to understand how the circuit works and with which I was able to install a 3 way alone. THANKS!
Thanks for watching!
Terry...after YEARS of doing electrical work this 3-way, 4-way switch thing has been my nemesis...currently doing a job where I almost came to tears trying to wire 2 3-way switches with two lights and adding power for another switch/light in a bathroom....UGGGGHHHH!!! Well...after this video I feel like a HERO, cuz I GET IT NOW!!! THAAAAANK YOOOOOOU!!!!
Glad I could help out! Thanks for the comment!
No such thing as a 2 way.
Finally, it all makes sense! I used to get the travelers mixed up with the commons... and a few hours of trying different combos would fix it.
With this explanation, I just have to remember two things.
#1 - the LINE (the hot wire where the power is being fed from) goes to the black common screw
and #2 - the LOAD (the hot wire of the equipment or item you're trying to turn on) goes to the black common screw of the last switch closest to it.
Thank you for making this so simple to understand. I now want to install another 3-way and even brave a 4-way installation.
Excellent! I'm glad it now makes sense and thanks for watching.
Video was posted on June 25th 2018, today May 25th 2020 - it helped me resolve my living room remodel! Thank you!!
It's still relevant! Thanks for watching! I hope that you 'like' it, and subscribe and click the notification bell so you know when I release a new video! It's much appreciated if you do!
Great description of how it works. The imagery helps tons. Thank you for the breakdown of the 3-way and 4-way switch. I am an industrial, commercial and residential electrician and I approve this message.
Thanks Michael!!! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you've subscribed to my channel. And don't forget to click the bell so you'll know when I release a new video.
The animation really helps me understand how 3-way switch works. Thank you!
Wow !, Finally I get it. Don't know how many times I had to call a electrical buddy to walk me through this.. I think I get it know . Great explanation .
Glad it helped
Can you explain to me
Are you home?
Thank You so much, changing out 3 way switches and hooked them up and only one side would work. The video explained it all and it was a quick fix once I pulled wires out and followed along.
Awesome video and professional job of explaining how they work.
Today 8/23/20 I changed a 3-way toggle to a 3-way paddle. I was losing my mind. It now works thanks to you. You're a lifesaver. And a solid understanding is a huge help. Thank you 😊
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Duuude!!! Big shout out to you. This video helped me actually understand and solve my problem.
Bought my first home recently and the wiring in the kitchen wasn't right when we moved in. We had two 3-way switches. 1 switch worked a light. The other switch effectively just cut power to the first switch. On the other circuit the red wire was just capped off.
Thank you very much for this explanation! All is good and now I'm much more comfortable with what's happening inside my walls.
Thanks for taking the time to watch, and comment!
Terry. Thanks so much #1 for getting my 2 outdoor floodlight fixtures on after a contractor took them down doing new siding and left bare wires sticking out. Quick version is was I replaced a switch unnecessarily but wired it incorrect. After watching your video after 5 year of chemo because of incurable multiple myeloma cancer I never had the switches 1 in kitchen 1 in garage in open loop position. Up and down the ladders many times. Up and down stairs many times to turn off power at breaker, I have done lots of electrical in 63 years but was at wits end and I never call anyone fix everything. So once switches were in correct position Voila light wires energized again later today I am reattaching fixtures. Your whole presentation skills and value make it possible for just about anyone to,install or rectify their dilemma. Keep up good work Sir. David
David, thank-you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes it all worthwhile to know that people appreciate my videos. Thanks for watching, and I trust you have won the health battle? Stay well, stay strong!
Dude! As a new flipper/ landlord, you have no idea how freakn helpful this is! I just subscribed and thank you
As soon as I finished watching your video, I had it wired correctly. Thank you for taking the time to instruct us.
Happy to help Paul!
I loved the animated explanation. It really helped augment the other hands on portion
Thanks for your clarity and your step by step approach. Your visuals, the display of the wire connections, are very discernible and straight forward.
Terrific video! So glad you showed the four-way setup. Now I get it! Good work, Terry! You definitely have a gift of instruction.
Thanks Rick!
The funny thing is: having worked with 3-way switches and never quite getting it, your hand drawn explanation was what made go "aaahhhhh I get it now." Thank you.
pictures are worth a thousand words!
Thanks for your help Terry. This video helped me from spending hours of searching for help, as well as not burning the house down. :-)
I know people at the Fire Department, call me! Thanks for watching!!!
Finally had my aha moment with three way switches. That’s after watching three other videos and having someone competent try to explain it to me. Thank you!
Thanks for the nice comment! Much appreciated. I hope you subscribed to help in my push to 100k subscribers! Not sure why that’s important but I think I get a nice wall plaque!
Outstanding! It is amazing how many Journeyman level electricians cannot explain as simply and effectively as you did how to wire a 3-way switch. Job well done!
Thanks for the nice comment!
@@theinternetelectrician which is the positive and negative and were is the output because I have no idea what that lingo is and i need to make this detonator for a client
Being an Industrial Electrician I am also asked plenty of questions about household wiring. This has always been the question that people ask and Its hard for me to get them to understand using my explanation. The simplicity used here in your explanation of the three way switch should make it where most anyone with a little knowledge of Electricity and wiring should have no problem understanding. I guess my explanation is to much in depth and overdone. Great video.. Thanks!
Thanks John!
Im an Electrician and this video is professionally explained. Some times is difficult for some people transmit Your knowledge to others and this gentleman video is very explanatory . Thank You!
Raul T. Thanks for your comment!
Raul T. Look a three way switch is VERY SIMPLE, if you take as long as you do to explain it 90% of the viewers WILL SIMPLY TUNE OUT.
You may be a professional electrician but you have little experience in explaining things.
A simple diagram is worth 10 minutes of your video.
I look forward to your explanation video. Call it "Better than the Best"!
Raul T. Not worth it there are DOZENS OF THEM.
Maybe not to your 11 subscribers, but my 28,000 subscribers, and the 7,338,154 times my videos have been viewed may think it's worth something.
4 years later...no reply ...but much clarity! I think I can do this job now! Thank you!
Did I not reply to a question you had for me?
Thanks! I had a three way switch; one was a timer the other was a switch but the electrician that did our new house said that that having the switch side off was killing the battery in the timer so he disconnected the switch (leaving the wires) and left us only with a timer. My bride preferred a 3 way switch so this video allowed a somewhat handy financial analyst to replace the timer with a switch and reconnect the other switch....THANK YOU this was very well done and I learned from it.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope that you have 'liked' the video, and have subscribed to my channel? Help me out in the push for 100K subs please, almost there!
Great video Terry!! You saved the day for me. I recently thought I finally understood the three way switch after successfully installing ONE. a few months later I was struggling for hours to replicate the feat until I found your video. Tried several combinations but had over complicated everything. Now I finally figured it out. Just need to do another one before I forget. Lol. Thanks again for the great video. That was the third one I watched on the subject and only one that I could wrap my tired brain around. I appreciate you brother. Bless up 🤙
Thanks David! Appreciate the nice comment! Happy to help out.
What I have found is doesnt matter how it's wired as long as both switches are wired indentically.
Very simple and thorough explanation for a 3 way switch. Well done Terry. Was helpful and easy to follow! I've seen many 3 way videos that were hard to follow.
Thanks for watching!
Very helpful! I have a hand drawn diagram from my late father, master electrician trained in WWII Coast Guard, and I refer to it often. It REALLY is fun when you run into a "repair" job in an old home where all the romex has aged and all the wires look black at the devices! Then the tracing out begins!!!!
Thank you for a great video!
Hands down the best video explanation I’ve watched. I searched so many sites trying to find answers and this video solved my problem. Thank you very much!!
You are very welcome! Thanks for the kind words!
Awesome... I have been racking my brain trying to visualize how this work... Now I do understand it, Thanks very much.
ronc1
Very great stuff! R.
Thanks for watching. I hope you liked and subscribed?
Let me just say that your explanation made wiring a new switch in my "crazy-wired" house easy! You've used language and showed exactly what purpose each wire has, so that even though my wiring is using different color wire, (has the black crimped off together, uses the red, etc.) because you show which wire is the traveler, I was able to install the new switch, with posts in different positions (making it impossible to just stick the new one in with wires in the same spots.)
Happy to have helped out! Thanks for the nice comment! Don't forget to subscribe, you will then know when I post a new video.
I am an electrical dummy....was trying to replace decor switches with smart eve switches and couldn't figure it out. After watching this video a couple of times to be sure, all works great and had them installed within 10 minutes!!!! Best video on explanation of 3 way. Many many thanks Terry.
You Fixed me up in Under 4 minutes. I went from the Decora which I have all over this house and I HATE them because they Break so easily, to the Old School Standard. The guy in Home Depot Totally misled me. He showed me the 2 Black Wires going to the 2 Brass Screws and Red to Black. That Only made the Switch work 1 Way. IDK if it's because I Changed the Style of Switch, but all I know is that when you said to put 1Black on Gold and 1Black on Black the 💡 in my head went on before I even hit the Power. I KNEW YOU WERE ON THE MONEY. You are The Man 😎👍🏼 Thank You !!!
Happy to help Julz! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
wow, I'm currently doing a electrical pre apprenticeship and was having trouble with 3way-4way switches, this helped a lot, thank you! keep up the good work
Happy to Help Ricky!
What is pre apprenticeship?
5 years later, did you make it bro? journeyman?
Thanks for making this video, always so much easier to understand when a visual aid ( grease board drawing ) is used.
Thanks Ken!
Thank you for that simple explanation!!! This was the 4th video I watched and it is the only one that made sense.
Thanks for watching! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you are now subscribed! appreciate those actions immensely, and if you feel really generous, there is new "Thanks" button to consider! :-)
I’m a Tinknocker Local105 in Cali and I’ve always been skeptical bout electricity and always had someone do the work. I’m Aware of the safety and danger due to the commercial work I do but the basics at home videos like these sure help out with the mechanical skills I already have I’m trying to save some money on labor. Thank you and keep educating 👍🏼🇺🇸
Thank-you! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you subscribed? Much appreciated!
Terry,
an absolutely magnificent instructional video on three-way switches. I can't thank you enough for this.
Thnaks so much!
I ❤️ you. You taught me something I struggled to comprehend for awhile.
Thanks for taking the time to make a nice and positive comment. The ones that comment that are just out trolling and criticizing can bring you down a bit, but then someone like you makes it all worth it!
Terry Peterman. I am in the process of "redoing" a 1910 classical Revival. The rooms are 20'x20'. At some point, two of the rooms that have 2nd for ways that open to a porch had their second switch removed and the box filled in with dry wall mud. It's a pain, especially in the dark, to cross through the room to turn the light on or walk out of a dark room. Now I know I can re-install the switches as they should be. Thank you. And I didn't mind the 12 minute video. Thanks again!
This was PERFECTLY EXPLAINED! 10/10 best video ever !
Thank-you so much for the nice comment! I hope that you have 'liked', and subscribed to my channel. Much appreciated!
Thank You!!! I watched and followed the steps. I wired three rooms and two worked fine. I spent nearly two hours trouble shooting the third room. I kept referring back to your video with no resolution. Then I noticed that the dimmer slide on the dimmer toggle switch was all the way down and that was why the lights would not come on! Thank you for such a clear and concise explanation.
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
Great breakdown of the current flowing through the switches. Excellent and well-imformed video
Thank-you rOaD RiDeR!
Thank'U Mr. Terry, you explain this three way switch system perfectly I'm watching different videos but the yours is the best thanks again...
Thanks for the kind comment! Thanks for watching!
Great video! I’m about to wire the outlets in my bus so I’m glad I checked this!
Glad it was helpful!
With this video I fixed an old 3-way switch problem. Thank you.
Finally got it Terry. This has always confused me and was looking for something clear. Your white board did it. Thanks!
Score another point for the white board! Thanks for watching!
Best video ever thank you.
Will foward it to a few of my friends
Thank you so much!
Who needs college when guys like this teach you for free hey man thanks helped me figure out my issue in my home now everything is fixed working properly
Thanks for the compliment!
Appreciate this video, how you explain things and did not go too fast also.
Watched it multiple times.
For you website I was writing in the word "dash' but discovered you mean a "hyphen as in "-"). 🤣
I learned from Grammarly, "A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that’s used to join words or parts of words. It’s not interchangeable with other types of dashes.
A dash is longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (-) and the em dash (-)."
By far the best explanation Ive seen.. Great job..
Thank you for making this video much more understandable
Terry Great series. Been doing electrical work for 40 years and learned under an UL Inspector. I am enjoying your presentations. All the best. Alex
Thanks Alex! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope that you 'like' it, and subscribe and click the notification bell so you know when I release a new video! It's much appreciated if you do!
Best explanation i have seen. I'm a visual learner so this was very appropriate to my learning style. Thank you so much!
Thank-you Monica!
Thank you for the video it helps clarify what's happening inside the switch.
Common one=feed in
Common two=load out
Traveler screws are switching in respect to each common.
1ST YEAR APPERENTICESHIP CLASS. ACTUALLY FIRST WEEK STUFF.
That link to the rope lighting was perfect. It was like someone just flipped a switch in my brain and now I can’t believe I didn’t understand it sooner. THANK YOU!!!
If you replace new under cabinet light and you find out that each one of them working on and off without using the wall switch and when you check the power for the switch you find both wires dead and the switch is dead .how to get this switch back alive ?
Thanks Michael! Happy to help out! I hope that you 'like' it, and subscribe and click the notification bell so you know when I release a new video! It's much appreciated if you do!
Excellent explanation using visual aid plus animation video, I finally understand how a 3-way switch works and how a 4-way set up is designed. I have both kinds in my house and needing to change switch styles. Thanks so much.
Glad to help, and thanks for the kind words!
Going to try this today. The wife is fed up with our two messed up switches. 😊 Thank you for sharing.
Let me know how you make out! If you need help, I'm available for video consultation at PalTap. paltap.me/internetelectrician
Great stuff if I watch this a few more times I'll have it amazing Lee simple
Thanks for watching! Don't forget to like and subscribe please!
Awesome video. I took a electrician course with my HVAC 18 years ago and couldn't remember how to do it lol. Thank you!
Thank you very much for this video and explination...it was like a door open and a bright light showed me what I was doing wrong. Thanks again!!
Awesome explanation. Really appreciate this. Great Job Sir!!!
This was hugely helpful! Thank you very much for such an informational yet easy to understand video! You rule terry!
Thanks for watching Enrique! And for the nice comments! I hope that you 'like' it, and subscribe and click the notification bell so you know when I release a new video! It's much appreciated if you do!
Thanks always been so confused but now it seems so simple!
Thank-you!
Wow! Thank you so much! You are a real teacher! You are better than many of my university teachers!
Thank-you for that compliment! Much appreciated!
Thanks Terry, You made it very easy to understand. Got my switch to work after giving up on it 8 months ago.
Thank you Terry, for sharing your valuable knowledge.
Thanks so much for the nice comment, and for watching! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that if you have not yet subscribed, please do so and click that notification bell!
Perfect explanation IMO; I was having trouble understanding how the 3-way switch worked and with the animation it all makes sense. THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for watching Brian!
Thanks Brian! Happy New Year!
Great job Terry! You make a lot more sense than everyone else's explanation.
roby14 thank you!
This is easily the best description of this in known history.
Thank-you so much for the comment! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you subscribed? Much appreciated!
You need to help the public education system come up with curriculum. Fantastic educational video!
Troy Leonard Thank-you! Very kind and glad you found it informative.
Thanks Terry, finally I get it thanks to your animation and drawing. Great job.
I was having problems wiring my 3 way switch. Your video explanation cleared it up and simplified it. Thanks!!!!!
Thanks for watching!
This is the best explanation on RUclips.
Thank-you!
Thanks for the animation. It completely explained the flow of electricity which I was having a hard time visualizing. The piece of information most helpful was showing what the function of the black versus bronze screws. If I ever have any questions about the flow from the switches position I can now use a multimeter to double check continuity.
Steve S same👍🏼
Same
Good explanation of how these work. One thing it took me a while to comprehend, was that you need a special switch, and a "traveler" wire. This was a good video.
Thanks Thomas!
TWO traveler wires! All of the wires connected between three-way switches are travelers.
Great job. I had to go through dozens of videos to get a full break down. Thanks
Ey Terry, thank you so much, you've solved my questions in 12 minutes.
Happy to help! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you subscribed? Much appreciated!
Thank you. Because of this video I was able to sort out the wiring issue I had that was driving me absolutely crazy. I just can't say thanks enough.
Michael Sherman thanks for watching! Happy to have helped!
I
This is one of the best electrical videos I have ever watched and I have taking college courses on this, great job sir.
Thank-you so much Marty! Made my day!
I'm not an electrician but this is an excellent video and explanation. It kind of reminds me of railway tracks with junctions. Simply put, you either complete the circuit to your destination or not, incomplete (dead end). You could have 2, 5, 10, etc. of junctions. It's all about completing a circuit in this case. It's so easy to understand as soon as you remove the terms "on" and "off" which are only useful for a direct connection where people get caught up with switches being up or down. Thank so much.
I shared this video with my contractor who claimed that he knows about electrical work but has to stop working today due to his luck of knowledge on 3 ways light switch connections hopefully he brings a teacher tomorrow with him to help him finish his job!! Gave me headaches!!!
Thanks for watching, and for sharing! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you subscribed? Much appreciated!
I did electrical with my union and never really understood the three-way switch
But this one little video actually made me see
Beautiful technique and teaching
Good explanation. I was already familiar with wiring but this help re-enforce the current flow. The challenge I find isn't the wiring where you can see the wiring in the wall, but figuring out how it was wired originally when replacing a switch. Think 3-gang box and more than 1 3-way switch and just for fun throw in the switch terminal locations were different on the new switch than the old. Took a bit to get it straightened out.
Good job Brian! Thanks for watching! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you've subscribed to my channel. And don't forget to click the bell so you'll know when I release a new video.
I've always been curious how this worked... I understand electronics and electricity very well but this 3-way switch just boggled my mind LOL! Great video, and much appreciated!
Excellent explanation. You make it easy to understand for the do it yourself people. Thanks.
Thank-you Marco! I hope that you “liked”, and subscribed. And click the notification bell so you’ll know when I releases a new video.
Excellent video, I learned something.
Great video Terry! Your step by step process is very easy to follow and understand. Thank you. It was very helpful for my project- changing the standard three-way switches to rocker-switches in my kitchen. It's also good to know something about what's going on behind the scenes :-)
Thanks Ondrej!
I had it all wrong! Thanks so much for this crash course in 3-way switches.
Thanks for watching! I hope that you gave it a 'like', and that you are now subscribed! appreciate those actions immensely, and if you feel really generous, there is new "Thanks" button to consider! :-)
This is by far the best explanation I’ve seen of this. Thank you !
Thanks, U2!
I just encountered a 4-way switch and was mystified as to what I was looking at. So many other explanations I read just made me more confused. You certainly have an uncommon skill for making this subject much more approachable. Thanks!
Nice compliment! Thank-you so much!
This an excelent and simple explanation ease to understand thank for sharing this information it was very useful for me
Thank-you so much!
Very clear explanation. Thank you, your efforts is greatly appreciated sir.
Great job Terry thanks. Now I have a better understanding considering that I have learning disability keep up the great work Buddy
Super helpful, many thanks!
Thanks for watching Robert!
A diagram always helps. Excellent.
What a clear explanation. Thank you Terry.
I just Wanted to tell you thank you for this video I have looked back at it several times over the past couple years so thank you!
Thank-you! Much appreciated!
Thanks, Jovetj, saved some time.
Excelente explicación ,gracias por compartir ese conocimiento básico.
Muchas gracias! Con mucho gusto!
Great video easy to understand the way you show the wires makes total sense how and why it’s like it dose thanks
Excellent tutorial video! Extremely easy to understand and very helpful! Thank you so much.
Thanks for watching!