How to Install a Light Fixture With 2 Switches
A light at the top of the stairs can cause repeated climbs up the staircase when the light is controlled by only one switch. By wiring a light switch to two switches, one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs, a light can be turned on or off at either location. Wiring a light fixture to two switches doesn't have to be done for staircase situations only, though. The two switches can be at opposite ends of a room or house. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Two Three-Way Light Switches
- Wire Nuts
- Wire Stripper
- Screwdriver
- Voltmeter
- 12/2 Wire
- 12/3 Wire
Instructions
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1
Turn off the power to the circuits. Do this by turning off the circuit breaker in the breaker box. You'll be working with 12/2 cable, which is standard housing wiring and has 3 wires that are colored black, white and green. You'll also be using a special cable for a three-way switch. This is 12/3 cable, which also has black, white and green wires but also has a red wire called a traveler wire.
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2
Run the 12/2 cable from your breaker box or junction box to the first three-way light switch and make the ground connections. Connect the green wire (ground) from the incoming 12/2 cable to a wire nut. Run a short wire from the wire nut to the light switch box's green terminal screw. Also connect the green wire from a 12/3 cable to the wire nut. This 12/3 cable needs to be long enough to reach the second light switch.
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3
Connect the three wires. Connect the black wire (AC hot) from the incoming 12/2 cable to the switch's common terminal, which will be black or copper colored. Connect the white wire (AC neutral) from the incoming 12/2 cable to the white wire from the 12/3 cable with a wire nut. Connect the black and red wires from the 12/3 cable to the switch's traveler terminal screws, which will be brass or gold colored.
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4
Run the 12/3 cable to the second three-way light switch and make the ground connections. Connect the green wire (ground) from the incoming 12/3 cable to a wire nut. Run a short wire from the wire nut to the light switch box's green terminal screw. Also connect the green wire from the second 12/2 cable to the wire nut. The second 12/2 cable needs to be long enough to reach the light fixture.
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5
Connect the remaining wires in the second three-way light switch. Connect the black and red wires from the 12/3 cable to the switch's traveler terminal screws, which will be brass or gold colored. The white wire (AC neutral) from the 12/3 cable is connected to the white wire from the 12/2 cable that goes to the light fixture by using a wire nut. The black wire from the 12/2 cable that goes to the light fixture should be connected to the switch's common terminal, which is black or copper colored.
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6
Feed the second 12/2 cable from the second light switch to the light fixture. These connections are standard. The green wire (ground) is connected to the switch's green terminal screw. The black wire goes to the brass or gold colored screw, and the white wire goes to the silver colored screw.
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7
Put on all face-plates and light fixture plates. Turn on power at the circuit breaker box and test out your newly wired light fixture.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a cup to hold wire nuts, screws and small pieces of hardware so you don't lose them.
AC electricity is very dangerous. Never assume it has been turned off. Double check the wires with a voltmeter to make sure there is no AC voltage present.
