Wiring Diagram 3 Way Switch Power To Light

Fixture between two three way switches.

Wiring diagram 3 way switch power to light.
With a pair of 3 way switches either switch can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
Wiring of 3 way light switches is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.
Wiring a three way light switch.

The hot source wire is spliced at the light box to the white cable wire running to the first switch box.
Power through switch light is controlled by two three way switches with the light between the switches and the power first going through a switch then to the light and onto the second three way switch.
In this light switch wiring diagram the power feed joins the circuit via the light fixture where a two wire cable c2 runs from the light to the first 3 way switch sw1 and a 3 wire cable c3 joins the two switches.

What is common in the diagrams above and with any 3 way switch circuit is that the power hot wire coming into the circuit will always go to the common terminal of the first switch.
3 way switch wiring diagram line to light fixtureline voltage enters the light fixture outlet box.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and the outlet.

The ground wire is pigtailed with a wire connector at the switch boxes and the ceiling box.
Assortment of wiring diagram 3 way switch ceiling fan and light.
Two wire cable runs from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between sw1 and sw2.

Wiring diagram for a 3 way switch one of the many wiring diagrams showing different methods of wiring a three way switch circuit.
3 way switch wiring with light first.
It shows the elements of the circuit as streamlined forms and also the power and also signal connections in between the devices.

In this diagram two 3 way switches control a wall receptacle outlet that may be used to control a lamp from two entrances to a room.
A wiring diagram is a streamlined conventional photographic depiction of an electrical circuit.
This circuit is wired the same way as the 3 way lights at this link.

Be sure to mark the white wire as noted so if any future repairs or replacement is needed whoever goes into the box will know it is marked as a hot wire.
The hot wire from light always goes to the common terminal of the second switch.
3 way switched outlet wiring.

No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxesno longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes.
Wiring a 3 way switch with the power coming in through the light and flowing to the switches.