Common = Hot or switched hot - The actual function depends on whether this is the first or last switch in the series of panel -> 3-way switch 1 -> (possibly 4-way switches) -> 3-way switch 2 -> light (or other switched device).There are (excluding ground) 3 connections: The trick with replacing 3-way switches is figuring out which screw terminal is for which function. That being said, you have one advantage over some other questioners: you know 100% for certain which wire was connected to each screw! But assuming it is a simple 3-way switch replacing the existing switch, this is straightforward.Īs noted in comments, you should always remove wires that are screwed into a device using the screws rather than cutting the wires. If you are installing a smart switch of any type (timer, WiFi, remote, etc.) then we'll need to know the model # and possibly additional specifics to get this figured out. They make all kinds of electrical equipment, including both simple and smart switches. At that point we'd need photos of the wires in the backs of the boxes, without anything disconnected (photos of a bunch of loose wires splayed out in every direction are worse than useless, and destroy the necessary information of "how it was connected before"). You need to study your 3-way layout carefully and figure out where in the circuit it's possible for it to go. If it's a "smart switch", lighted, motion sensor etc., then it's more complicated. However, only use a 4-way for a 3-way if you enjoy paying $10 for a switch instead of $2. Normally these things matter, but it happens to work out with 4-ways that it doesn't matter which black screw. If it is a "4-way switch" (2 brass 2 black), by good fortune, you can wire it exactly the same way - 2 travelers on brass and third wire on one of the black screws. 3-way switches have 3 screws + groundĪ switch with 4 screws + ground is the wrong switch. You can buy 6 different brands of 3-way switch out of the bins at Home Depot and find 6 different positionings of those screws. Travelers are the brass screws.Īnd position does not matter at all on a 3-way switch.
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