Let There Be Light: the 3-way switch light
A 3-way switch light give a person the power to turn a light either off or on from two different places. This is a huge convenience, because sometimes finding a light switch in the dark can be a challenge. Or maybe your light switch is hard to get to from your bed or couch. Or you may have a room that has two openings. If any of these situations apply, you might consider installing a 3-way switch light in your room to save yourself from more hassle.
It is a lot more convenient to be able to control the lighting in your room from two separate places. This is why the 3-way switch light was developed. Believe it or not, the 3-way switch light is usually pre-installed in most new houses. The 3-way switch light is particularly common in hallways, staircases, and rooms that have multiple entrances.
The 3-way switch light has two separate switches that are connected to a light. A normal switch (usually referred to as a 2-way switch light) has two terminals that are either connected or disconnected. This means that it is connected if the light is on and disconnected if the light is off. With the 3-way switch light, there are three terminals that can be either disconnected or connected. A switch connects the terminals.
Fortunately, the 3-way switch light can be easily installed by almost anyone. First, get the right wire. Check the wire that is already in the switch. You can also purchase three-way stitches at most hardware and electrical switched.
Each switch will have a terminal that is marked as Common. The two other terminals are referred to as travelers. Common terminals are hooked to hot wires. The hot wire goes from the electrical source into the fixture.
The two traveler terminals are hooked to the other switch. A neutral wire will connect to the electrical source which can serve as a ground for all the other wires.
The hot wire at the source goes to the common terminal at one switch. The hot wire that connects to the light then hooks to the common at the other switch. The neutral wire from the original source hooks to the light. Then the travelers connect in no special order. By following these simple rules, you can easily install the 3-way switch light without the assistance of a professional saving yourself some money in the long run.