Tips for Wiring Electrical Outlets and Switches

By Bob Formisano, About.com Guide

Three way switches control a light fixture or outlet from two different locations. These switches have two "traveler" wires and a "common" wire.

The trick in replacing an old switch is to mark the COM or common wire off the old three way switch before you replace the old switch so that you properly connect the COM wire to the new 3-way switch's dark or bronze screw terminal identified as COM. The COM wire is the one you have to install to a specific switch terminal screw. With the other two traveler wires it makes no real difference to which terminals they get fastened.

Previous

• Mark the Three Way Switch Common Wire
• Wrap Wires Clockwise Around the Terminal Screw
• Connect White Wire to Silver Screw Terminal and Black Wire to Bronze Terminal
• Don't Use Stab-In Connectors in Cheap Outlets
• Label "Load" and "Line" Wires on a GFCI Outlet

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