Use three-position switches to control a single light from two different places.
Use three-position light switches when you need to control a light from two different places. Prime examples are light switches at the top and bottom of a stairway or at either end of a hallway. Using a three-position switch in each of these positions means you can turn the light on or off at either position. Wiring these types of switches correctly involves some basic knowledge of electricity and general wiring practices.
Instructions
1. Turn off the electricity at the main breaker before beginning any electrical project.
2. Run the wires to the appropriate areas. Run the two-wire cable between the light fixture and the first three-position light switch. Run the three-wire cable between the two light switches. Run the feed wire from the power source to the light fixture.
3. Strip the white wire from the feed wire and the white wire of the light fixture. Attach the two white wires with a wire nut.
4. Strip the black wire from the feed wire and the white wire from the two-wire cable that runs to the first light switch, then attach them with a wire nut. This makes the "hot" feed wire run straight into the first light switch.
5. Strip the black wire from the light fixture and the black wire from the two-wire cable that runs to the first light switch, then attach the two wires using a wire nut.
6. Move to the first light switch. Strip, then attach the white wire from the light fixture to the dark screw on the back of the light switch. Mark the wire to remind yourself that this wire is "hot."
7. Strip the red and white wires found in the three-wire cable that runs between the two switches and attach them to the remaining two screws on the back of the light switch.
8. Strip the black wire that runs through the two-wire cable from the light fixture and the black wire from the three-wire cable that runs between the two switches and attach them with a wire nut.
9. Move to the second light switch and strip the red, white, and black wires from the three-wire cable running between the two switches. Attach the red and white wires to the light screws on the back of the switch in the same positions as used on the first switch. Attach the remaining black wire to the dark screw on the back of the switch.
10. Turn on the electricity at the main breaker and test to see if the switches perform as expected.
Tags: light switch, wire from, black wire, light fixture, that runs, black wire from
