How to Control One Lamp from Two Different Locations using 2-Way & 3-Way Light Switches?
Two Way Switch or Three Way Switch: “Three-way” is the North American (USA) term for this type of (SPDT) switch used in the following tutorial. Most English-speaking countries (UK/EU) call them “two-way”. The term for the pair of wires connecting the two switches also varies: “strappers” to the British – IEC and “travelers” to the US – NEC.
Please don’t kill me to mention it 2-Way switch instead of 3-Way switch and vice versa as whatever we have used is the same thing for a specific purpose.
In today’s basic electrical wiring installation tutorial, we will discuss the step by step method of staircase wiring installation by using SPDT (Single Pole Double Through Switch) also known as 3-way (US) or 2-way switches (UK). Also, the same wiring circuit diagram can be used for 2-way or 3-way lighting circuits or controlling electrical appliances from two or more different places by using two-way and three-way switches. The main purpose of a two way switching circuit is that the appliances can be ON / OFF independently from any switch, no matter whatever is the current position of the switch (either ON or OFF).
Staircase Wiring Circuit Diagram Connection – Controlling Bulb from Two Places
Below is an old-school staircase wiring circuit diagram. Here we can control a light bulb from two different places by using two numbers of 2-way switches.
Working & Operation of Staircase Wiring – 2-Way & 3-Way Light Switching
Consider the above 2-way switch wiring diagram which has been used to control a bulb in staircase. The schematic shows that circuit is completed and bulb is ON. Suppose you want to OFF the bulb from the upper switch at top of stair ( (upper portion of staircase) ) simply Switch OFF the switch then circuit will break and the bulb will be OFF. To switch ON the bulb again, just switch ON the same switch at upper portion of staircase. In other words you can OFF and ON bulb from upper switch at the top of stair. Obviously; You can perform the same operation from the bottom switches installed in the staircase.
For this purpose, consider the figure given above. In this case, you can see that the circuit is complete and the bulb is ON. Suppose you want to OFF the bulb from the lower switch at the bottom of the stair. Simply OFF the switch, then again circuit will break and the bulb will be OFF. You can switch ON the bulb again to switch ON the same switch installed at the bottom or downstairs as shown in the fig.
Two Way Switching using Three Wires
It is the new 2-way switching connection method which can be used for staircase wiring as well as it is efficient as compared to the old-school method where 2 wires are used instead of three wires.
The current position of two way switching connection using three wires circuit is ON and the bulb is glowing. The circuit operation is same as mentioned in the above figures but the connection method is different as the first terminals of both switches are connected to the live (Phase) wire. The second terminals of both switches are connected to the bulb to provide live line supply while the Neutral is directly connected to the bulb as common wiring method.
This basic circuit is a little confusing as by looking in it, it makes a short circuit (to the same wire which is not harm in this case) when both switches are ON or OFF which is making a loop to disconnect the live supply to the bulb Hence, the bulb will not glow in that case.
Staircase Wiring using Intermediate Switch (4-Way Switch)
This is not always the case, but in some cases like shared flats and long stairs, we may need to control the light point in staircase wiring from three different places by using two 2-way switches and an intermediate switch as shown in fig below.
How to Control One Lamp from Two Different Locations using 2-Way & 3-Way Light Switches?
Two Way Switch or Three Way Switch: “Three-way” is the North American (USA) term for this type of (SPDT) switch used in the following tutorial. Most English-speaking countries (UK/EU) call them “two-way”. The term for the pair of wires connecting the two switches also varies: “strappers” to the British – IEC and “travelers” to the US – NEC.
Please don’t kill me to mention it 2-Way switch instead of 3-Way switch and vice versa as whatever we have used is the same thing for a specific purpose.
In today’s basic electrical wiring installation tutorial, we will discuss the step by step method of staircase wiring installation by using SPDT (Single Pole Double Through Switch) also known as 3-way (US) or 2-way switches (UK). Also, the same wiring circuit diagram can be used for 2-way or 3-way lighting circuits or controlling electrical appliances from two or more different places by using two-way and three-way switches. The main purpose of a two way switching circuit is that the appliances can be ON / OFF independently from any switch, no matter whatever is the current position of the switch (either ON or OFF).
Staircase Wiring Circuit Diagram Connection – Controlling Bulb from Two Places
Below is an old-school staircase wiring circuit diagram. Here we can control a light bulb from two different places by using two numbers of 2-way switches.
Working & Operation of Staircase Wiring – 2-Way & 3-Way Light Switching
Consider the above 2-way switch wiring diagram which has been used to control a bulb in staircase. The schematic shows that circuit is completed and bulb is ON. Suppose you want to OFF the bulb from the upper switch at top of stair ( (upper portion of staircase) ) simply Switch OFF the switch then circuit will break and the bulb will be OFF. To switch ON the bulb again, just switch ON the same switch at upper portion of staircase. In other words you can OFF and ON bulb from upper switch at the top of stair. Obviously; You can perform the same operation from the bottom switches installed in the staircase.
For this purpose, consider the figure given above. In this case, you can see that the circuit is complete and the bulb is ON. Suppose you want to OFF the bulb from the lower switch at the bottom of the stair. Simply OFF the switch, then again circuit will break and the bulb will be OFF. You can switch ON the bulb again to switch ON the same switch installed at the bottom or downstairs as shown in the fig.
Two Way Switching using Three Wires
It is the new 2-way switching connection method which can be used for staircase wiring as well as it is efficient as compared to the old-school method where 2 wires are used instead of three wires.
The current position of two way switching connection using three wires circuit is ON and the bulb is glowing. The circuit operation is same as mentioned in the above figures but the connection method is different as the first terminals of both switches are connected to the live (Phase) wire. The second terminals of both switches are connected to the bulb to provide live line supply while the Neutral is directly connected to the bulb as common wiring method.
This basic circuit is a little confusing as by looking in it, it makes a short circuit (to the same wire which is not harm in this case) when both switches are ON or OFF which is making a loop to disconnect the live supply to the bulb Hence, the bulb will not glow in that case.
Staircase Wiring using Intermediate Switch (4-Way Switch)
This is not always the case, but in some cases like shared flats and long stairs, we may need to control the light point in staircase wiring from three different places by using two 2-way switches and an intermediate switch as shown in fig below.
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