How are the wires connected to the switches where there are two switches that can operate a single light?

Answer 1

This is known as "staircase wiring". It uses two two-way switches. A two-way switch has one common terminal and two alternate switching terminals. Say C1 being common, A1 and B1 are alternate terminals. second two-way switch has C2 common terminal and A2, B2 alternate terminals. Connect the live phase wire to C1. Wire up A1 to A2 and B1 to B2. Connect a load (say a lamp) to C2 and the other end of the lamp to neutral. The wiring is complete and now the lamp can be controlled by these two switches.

s for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz mains suppliesIf this is a standard 120V light fixture controlled by two light switches, for more information, including a wiring diagram, see the Related link shown below.

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If, and ONLY if, there is an on/off switch for a 120 Volt lighting fixture installed onto a wall box containing wires, it is possible that the Red and Black wires in this situation are:

a) the "hot" feed wire coming from the mains breaker panel to the switch and

b) the "switched hot" wire going to the lighting fixture.

BE VERY CAREFUL: YOU MUST BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND

HOW TO DO ANY OF WHAT FOLLOWS SAFELY BEFORE YOU TRY TO TEST ANYTHING WHICH MAY BE A HOT OR LIVE WIRE

Only someone who knows how to use a test lamp or voltmeter safely will be able to confirm if the Red wire in the wall box is a) and the Black wire is b), or if they are actually wired the other way round, meaning the Black wire in the wall box is a) and the Red wire is b).

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A Red wire can be the first "Hot Leg" of a 240 volt supply. It could also be one of a pair of hot wires connecting two switches controlling one or more 120V lighting fixtures.

A Black wire can be the second "Hot Leg" of a 240 volt supply or the "Hot" wire of a 120 Volt supply. It could also be one of a pair of hot wires connecting two switches controlling one or more 120V lighting fixtures.

A White wire is normally the "Neutral" wire. It is common to both hot legs on a 240 Volt supply.

A Green wire (or bare wire with no insulation) is normally the local "Ground "wire.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 2

In a two-way switch setup where two switches control one light, the common terminal of one switch is connected to the hot wire, while the common terminal of the other switch is connected to the light fixture. The travelers of both switches are connected to each other, allowing both switches to control the light.

Answer 3

You would use two three-way switches. These are simple single-pole double-throw switches. You connect one common to power, and the other to the light. You connect the two poles to each other. This way, either switch can turn the light off or on. Don't forget that, since both poles are hot, you must indicate this by appropriate choice of color in the wiring - for instance, in the US, white is not allowed unless you indicate with tape or something that the wire is actually hot. Most electricians will run 3 conductor plus ground, white, black, and red plus ground from switch to switch - the red and black being the poles - and the white being neutral return, if needed.

Answer 4

Wall light swtch wiring usually will use #14 wire rated at 15 amps.

ANOTHER ANSWERAll wire on a circuit must be large enough to handle the rated current of the circuit breaker. In other words, if the light is connected to a 20 Amp breaker, all wires (switch leg included) must be 12 GA. If the light is connected to a 15 Amp breaker, all wires can be 14 GA.

Answer 5

This requires a 3way switch at each of the 2 locations you want to use to control the light. You will need to run power to one of the switch locations and then run a wire to the light from the other switch location. Run a 12/3 or 14/3 wire from switch to switch. Be sure and use the same size wire you use to supply power and run from the switch to the light. Do not mix wire sizes. If the circuit is on a 15 amp breaker then use 14/2 wire, and if it is on a 20 amp circuit use 12/2 wire. Now you have power at one of the 3way switches. A wire going to the light at the other switch, and a 12/3 or 14/3 wire running between the 2 switches. Starting at the switch with the power supply input connect all the white wires together under a wire nut and push that back in the box. Connect the ground wires together and connect that to the green ground screw on the 3way switch. Use a jumper wire if necessary. Look on the switch and you will see 3 screws. One is black and the other 2 are silver. Connect the black power wire to the black screw. Connect the red and black wires, which are called travelers, to the other 2 silver screws. Does not matter which wires you connect to which screws. Remember you are supplying power to this switch and not to the other switch. The black wire you connect to the black screw is the wire coming from the power wire you brought into the switch box, and not the 12/3 or 14/3 wire you ran between the switches. Now move to the other 3way switch. Connect all whites together and push them back into the box. Connect the grounds together and then connect them to the green ground screw on the switch. Now connect the black wire that is going up to the light to the black screw on the switch. Connect the red and black traveler wires to the 2 remaining screws. Once you install the light, black to black and white to white, ground to ground. Turn on the power and if you followed these directions to the letter you can turn on/off the light from 2 locations.

Answer 6

You can put both of the switches conected on the light

Answer 7

No