Go on his discord. Anything else that you can't get fixed on your own, he's got many people in it that helped me on a couple ratty wiring cases in my 1970s condo. Very helpful they are
Finally a video that solved our problem! Switching out to all new 3-way Leviton Dimmers and 3-way Leviton switches. Used a no touch voltage tester to test for the hot wire like every other video we watched said to do, only the "hot" wire changed with the position of the other switch, or we had multiple "hot" wires based on the freaking beeping tool. Haha! FIVE frustrating hours later and we finally stumbled on to your video. Why don't the Leviton videos tell you that the travelers come out of the same sheathing? THANK YOU for making this very easy to understand video. Made quick work of the rest of the switches we changed out.
" When you can explain something simply, then you understand it well enough." This was the video that gave me the knowledge that I needed to fix a 3 way in my house. Nicely done, good sir!! I am very happy now. This video gets a like, and I am following your channel. Great job!!
Thank you for thoroughly explaining how the travelers are in the same sheath. Understanding how something works makes it so much easier to remember the process when swapping these out.
@@Grynjolf Are they color coded? If you didn't take a picture of how they were originally wired, black typically is your hot, red would be your traveler. But try to consult someone who can visually inspect it or has the equipment to verify.
I felt compelled to send you a Huge Thank You for helping me figure out my wiring mess up. I was in a hurry and my 3-way switches and one 4-way was giving me trouble. Turns out a wired them incorrectly with the traveler mixed up with the power. I was able to fix by looking g into the sheathing. Saved me a lot of trouble. This is the best video on 3-way wiring I have found. Many thanks.
Love this video! Helps make much more sense diagnosing and troubleshooting for me. Most guides are based on PROPER colors, wire setups, etc. And I’m probably not alone in saying the previous home owner of my house did not do things “Proper”. Keep up the incredible content and spreading knowledge my friend!
thank you!! that was such a simple explanation the 2 travelers come from the same sheathing, the other wire is hot and goes on black... so simple.. great video!!
Had to watch a few different videos before this one finally solved my problem. Moved into a new place and the 3 way switches were incorrectly wired. The simple yet crucial explanation of how to figure out which wire goes where when you don't know/forgot where it goes was the key.
Thank you for explaining it without a lot of irrelevant information. Your clear instructions with great video makes it much easier for us DIY homeowners.
Terrified to change a 3 way after a previous disaster. You gave the best and most understandable explanation. I successfully changed 5 switches today that were working but the previous homeowners had a mix of colors.
I put my three way switch in upside down 20 years ago, finally got around to replacing it with a new switch right side up, works great. Took two days to test and slowly understand how it works. Bought a non contact voltage detector with built in flashlight, it's a must have.
Super helpful tips re: the travelers (using the same sheathing - and both going to gold terms) and the "feed" on its own and going to the black term. :)
OMG this was the best and easiest to understand...I wish I had found this video before I paid someone to do the first one...I did the other ones after watching this!
I would love to see some more industrial type videos from you. Motor control stuff would be cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a plc cabinet or some crazy relay logic stuff.
I've worked on some express type car washes from the ground up. Motor controls are very detailed and intricate. Vfd's, inverters, lots of low volts, etc. Then the programming involved. I mean, it's a lot, which is probably why he hasn't took the time to make a video on it.
Thank you. I really like and will remember the insights about the 12-3 sleeve with two wires (red traveler) versus the 12-2 with a single (black) sleeve.
Thanks for posting this informative video. I replaced my 3W switch just like the original in the wall. took a pic so i was sure to put wires in correct position. BUT the original switch had the black screw on top, my new switch had the black screw on the bottom. Geez, you saved me!
Great video band I finally learned how to tell which one goes on the black and which go on the gold. Because at the house that I bought there is only ground, white, and black. So I have 3 black and 1 white.
I needed this for some reason my red wire is the hot wire. My previous switch had the red on the black screw. But you tip on. Che kick the sheathing was spot on. Thanks
Amazing video as usual! Can you please do a video on wiring a four-way switch or five way switch so to speak anything higher than a three-way. I think it would really help a lot of us with the way you explain things so well! Much love, and happy new year!
I have a question. According to the NEC, traveler wires are supposed to be blue or yellow, white for neutral, black for phase 1, red for phase 2, but here I see black and red used as travelers. Is tha acceptable or against code?
This is where pulling different colored wire through conduit is very helpful: yellow and orange are single pole single throw (on/off. Single circuit) and the brown wires are travelers (single pole/double throw). If I were doing work in the land of Romax, I would be labeling Both the outer jacket, when necessary, and the individual wires with colored tape. Romax without labeling can become extremely difficult
The switch will have 5 screws on it - 2 black, 2 brass / gold and 1 green. The black screws are one set, the brass screws are a second set. One set of travelers go onto one set of screws. I generally try to rough in the wires so that one set is physically separate from the other (like one set in the top, the other in the bottom) but it that isn't possible, I band one set of travelers with a strip of electrical tape (usually yellow) to identify what two belong to the same set.
Um, 4 way has 4 screws. Depending on the age of the 4way switch the wires coming from one point will be either on one side or the top side. The only switch I saw with 5 terminals is a 3way and a single pole switch.
Easiest explanation for a 4-way switch is that it's an intersection for travelers. Instead of travelers going from one 3-way to another they go to an intersecting box, giving you a third switch or more. 4-way switches are purchased in a box and that box has instructions printed on the inside.
Excellent video! You saved me some time and money on this one. Thank you 🙏 And can you tell me where you purchased those cool tool waste bags, I can’t find them anywhere?
How are you doing hope that everything is going well for You. I'm very pleased with you patience ,the way exactly how you explained step by step all that We need to know. I'm very proud to keep learning from your experience ✨️ THANKS AGAIN
What if you are working in an old house and your box is jammed with 7 wires that all look black? Took me two months and major wall removal to figure it out. Haha “same sheathing”? What if there is NO sheathing. PLEASE make a video about troubleshooting. A swap in same for same with tips is good. But I need more. (Love your videos, this three way just brings back bad memories)
I know this was posted a year ago, however, in this case you could measure continuity between both ends of the cables and start labeling them with white, green, red, blue and yellow tape on the ends
Great video. What if you have a black wire, white wire and a red wire? I am replacing switches and I when I took this three way off I lost track of the wire positions. Like I really can't see where the wires go into the sheathing very well.
Thank you so much! Well explained. I have several of these switches that are older models in a house that I bought a few years ago. I would like to ask if joining this channel would give me access to answers to any questions that may pop up during the replacement/removal process ? TIA! Oh and by the way, I love my Electrician U T-shirt! Lightweight and comfortable.
Thanks - short and sweet. It will be easy to remember. On the 3-way switch that mates with the first one, which wire goes on the black screw. The one going to the light or the device?
I’m not an electrician, but buy and sell property. I see a lot of videos about replacing a none grounded receptacle with a GFI receptacle , so what about the other receptacles in the room? And or the receptacles down line what do you do to them , do you put regular 3 prong in them or do you leave the 2 prong and add an adapter?
Hey is there a way to take the hot side of a three-way switch and use a two wire remote switch to turn on the light on that side never using the other side.
Thank you, but on my switch there is also another black wire plugged in directly to the back of the old outlet. My new outlet doesn’t have a hole in the back so I don’t know where to put that wire
I don't think this is a code violation. Nothing in the code book (2020) specifically mentions forbidding using multiple cables for a specific application. I've actually wired dead end three ways with 2 pieces of 14/2 in lieu of 14/4 as follows. One run for travelers, one run for hot and neutral. I used phase tape to mark the black and white, red and blue respectively on the traveler set. This was a renovation and I needed to add another switch to a single pole switch, and also have a couple of receptacles right below the 3 way switch I added. The inspector allowed this.
What if all 4 wires coming into my switch box are from the same pc of romex ? Black, white, red and ground. When I moved in there was no switch installed. Just wires tucked in the box. Previous owner told me this box was once the 3 way switch for my ceiling light….
I do have a question on this because I have three way motion sensor switch in the hallway and I recently changed out the other switch with a switch that has a nightlight and I can’t get the switches to work properly, the switch with the nightlight requires a neutral for the nightlight to work. Now the switches don’t work with each other and I can’t figure out why? Any idea what may be the issue?
Does your nightlite switch works with the 3way sensor switch? I mean, does the lights controled by the 3way sensor switch are also supposed to be controled by the nightlite switch? If so, is the nightlite switch, a 3way?
@@oscargarcia6929 for the neutral, you can use the ground as neutral for the nightlite switch. And does your nightlite switch already have wires on it? If so, how many, and what color are they? From what i understand, your switch has something like, one white, one green, and 3 other wires. Whats the color of thoses 3 other?
@@martf1061 no wires come with it, you use the wiring in the box your hot,travelers,neutral and your ground. Here is the type of switch it is- radiant 15 Amp 120-Volt Single-Pole/3-Way Rocker Light Switch with Night Light, White And the motion sensor is- Lutron Maestro 5 Amp Single-Pole or Multi-Location Motion Sensor Switch, White
@@oscargarcia6929 and what is not working properly ? Is it that the motion sensor only works when the other switch is in a certain position? Or is it that, even if you turned off the lights with the rocker 3way switch, the 3way motion sensor can still turn on the lights on its own?
Finally, I can fix a switch in the basement that I messed up years ago and didn’t know how to fix. Thanks for this video. You’re a great teacher.
Go on his discord. Anything else that you can't get fixed on your own, he's got many people in it that helped me on a couple ratty wiring cases in my 1970s condo. Very helpful they are
@@yOURCHRIST thank you Chris!
I literally JUST commented the same thing. He has a simplistic yet prolific style of teaching.
This is by far the best 3-way switch explanation on TH-cam. Great video
Couldn't agree more. 👏
Absolutely agree! Never would have thought about the travelers being in the same sheathing.
@@davids8493 100% agree
Finally a video that makes sense to us weekend warriors. I'm a subscriber now and enjoying your channel. Keep up the good work. Thanks man.
Finally a video that solved our problem! Switching out to all new 3-way Leviton Dimmers and 3-way Leviton switches. Used a no touch voltage tester to test for the hot wire like every other video we watched said to do, only the "hot" wire changed with the position of the other switch, or we had multiple "hot" wires based on the freaking beeping tool. Haha! FIVE frustrating hours later and we finally stumbled on to your video. Why don't the Leviton videos tell you that the travelers come out of the same sheathing? THANK YOU for making this very easy to understand video. Made quick work of the rest of the switches we changed out.
" When you can explain something simply, then you understand it well enough." This was the video that gave me the knowledge that I needed to fix a 3 way in my house. Nicely done, good sir!! I am very happy now. This video gets a like, and I am following your channel. Great job!!
Thank you for thoroughly explaining how the travelers are in the same sheath. Understanding how something works makes it so much easier to remember the process when swapping these out.
I came in here to say the same thing. That one little tip makes this the best three-way switch TH-cam video out there!
best single tip
This is one of the best videos to help for this! 3:20-4:00 is key information! Simple and specific. Thank you!
Except for some reason one of my switches has all 3 going into the same sheath. Idk what to do!
@@Grynjolf Are they color coded? If you didn't take a picture of how they were originally wired, black typically is your hot, red would be your traveler. But try to consult someone who can visually inspect it or has the equipment to verify.
I just had the same question this week and you answered it with a 2 year -old video...your video is still relevant. Thanks!
I felt compelled to send you a Huge Thank You for helping me figure out my wiring mess up. I was in a hurry and my 3-way switches and one 4-way was giving me trouble. Turns out a wired them incorrectly with the traveler mixed up with the power. I was able to fix by looking g into the sheathing. Saved me a lot of trouble. This is the best video on 3-way wiring I have found. Many thanks.
Kudos for explaining how to identify the wires after unhooked - was nice to verify.
Love this video! Helps make much more sense diagnosing and troubleshooting for me. Most guides are based on PROPER colors, wire setups, etc. And I’m probably not alone in saying the previous home owner of my house did not do things “Proper”. Keep up the incredible content and spreading knowledge my friend!
thank you!! that was such a simple explanation the 2 travelers come from the same sheathing, the other wire is hot and goes on black... so simple.. great video!!
Had to watch a few different videos before this one finally solved my problem. Moved into a new place and the 3 way switches were incorrectly wired. The simple yet crucial explanation of how to figure out which wire goes where when you don't know/forgot where it goes was the key.
This video was excellent, answered all thoughts and questions, and explained everything wonderfully. I'm gonna go try it now!
This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for not telling me how to wire a house, just how to tell which wires are which. Good job!
Thank you for explaining it without a lot of irrelevant information. Your clear instructions with great video makes it much easier for us DIY homeowners.
Terrified to change a 3 way after a previous disaster. You gave the best and most understandable explanation. I successfully changed 5 switches today that were working but the previous homeowners had a mix of colors.
Best video about this hands down. Thank you for posting this!
I find that switch loops are the lessons I have to keep refreshing myself with the most of my apprenticeship. 😄
Finally someone that explains the hot wire and step by step best video for a 3 way switch!
So far best video I’ve seen 👍🏼 you did awesome explaining it
Good video. We have now successfully replaced 45 switches (single, three and four pole) on our first floor. Thanks!
A great video for homeowners and apprentices. One of the first things I learned was how to properly wire and install a 3-way.
Thank you so much, no one else explained the wires properly and where each should go from what sheathing. Helped alot
Appreciate you making this so easy to understand. Simple lesson for my simple mind and I finally got my 3-way working!
I put my three way switch in upside down 20 years ago, finally got around to replacing it with a new switch right side up, works great.
Took two days to test and slowly understand how it works. Bought a non contact voltage detector with built in flashlight, it's a must have.
Super helpful tips re: the travelers (using the same sheathing - and both going to gold terms) and the "feed" on its own and going to the black term. :)
Thanks!
Thank you very much for simplifying this for me. I was stuck on this for a while
This is one of the best videos I have seen This guy is a GREAT teacher!
OMG this was the best and easiest to understand...I wish I had found this video before I paid someone to do the first one...I did the other ones after watching this!
Great explanation!! Finally a video that brakes it down and simplifies things. Bravo.
Thanks!
Best video out there. Thank you. Got me through a simple problem.
I would love to see some more industrial type videos from you. Motor control stuff would be cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a plc cabinet or some crazy relay logic stuff.
I've worked on some express type car washes from the ground up. Motor controls are very detailed and intricate. Vfd's, inverters, lots of low volts, etc. Then the programming involved. I mean, it's a lot, which is probably why he hasn't took the time to make a video on it.
Great advice: The two travelers come from the same Romex cable and the single hot or leg comes from another Romex cable.
This is the description where the "light" came on for me. 👍👍
Love it. I especially appreciate the tip that the two travelers are on the same wire.
Clear, concise, and extremely helpful. Thank you.!
Thank you. I really like and will remember the insights about the 12-3 sleeve with two wires (red traveler) versus the 12-2 with a single (black) sleeve.
Thanks for posting this informative video. I replaced my 3W switch just like the original in the wall. took a pic so i was sure to put wires in correct position. BUT the original switch had the black screw on top, my new switch had the black screw on the bottom. Geez, you saved me!
Thank you this helped with my old house where the color of the wires means nothing.
Great video. been doing maintenance for 8 years and never knew this !
Great explanation! 3 way switches always get me. Figuring iut the 2 wires in the same cable are the travellers made sense finally! Thanks much.....
I love you and your simplistic teaching strategy. However, I still need you to come over. Thanks!
Thank you for pointing that out ! Just learned a lil more about the process
Bro !!!!! Thanks.. Your teaching abilities are perfect… thanks for the simple and to the point explanation..
Great work explaining it. Explaining that the two hots come from the same insulated line and can go in either gold screw was key.
Great video band I finally learned how to tell which one goes on the black and which go on the gold. Because at the house that I bought there is only ground, white, and black. So I have 3 black and 1 white.
Thank You Sir! My wife and I are old people 3-way switches were reversed. We now can live in our house.
THANK YOU!!!!! I finally understood how to fix the wiring!!! I had one switch turning off a light it had no business turning off lol!
I needed this for some reason my red wire is the hot wire. My previous switch had the red on the black screw. But you tip on. Che kick the sheathing was spot on. Thanks
Finally fix my hallway light. Thank you so much.
Exactly what I needed today. Thank you. Clear and concise.
Thank You! Very helpful. Happy new year 🎉
You did such an awesome job explaining everything!!
Amazing video as usual! Can you please do a video on wiring a four-way switch or five way switch so to speak anything higher than a three-way. I think it would really help a lot of us with the way you explain things so well! Much love, and happy new year!
I have a question. According to the NEC, traveler wires are supposed to be blue or yellow, white for neutral, black for phase 1, red for phase 2, but here I see black and red used as travelers. Is tha acceptable or against code?
This was a master class. Awesome teacher!
Ay yooo. Had to come back and see how you decipher a three way switch…. Because I’m sure it will be simple and ingenious
Your video was a big help. Thanks. What is your opinion on wrapping electrical tape around switch screws before placing switch back in box.
This is where pulling different colored wire through conduit is very helpful: yellow and orange are single pole single throw (on/off. Single circuit) and the brown wires are travelers (single pole/double throw). If I were doing work in the land of Romax, I would be labeling Both the outer jacket, when necessary, and the individual wires with colored tape. Romax without labeling can become extremely difficult
I have had trouble in old work where the three-ways have terminals in different places or LED dimmers with leads.
I be interested in seeing how a four-way switch set up is done. Great video and cleared up some questions I had regarding 3- way switches.
The switch will have 5 screws on it - 2 black, 2 brass / gold and 1 green. The black screws are one set, the brass screws are a second set. One set of travelers go onto one set of screws.
I generally try to rough in the wires so that one set is physically separate from the other (like one set in the top, the other in the bottom) but it that isn't possible, I band one set of travelers with a strip of electrical tape (usually yellow) to identify what two belong to the same set.
Um, 4 way has 4 screws. Depending on the age of the 4way switch the wires coming from one point will be either on one side or the top side.
The only switch I saw with 5 terminals is a 3way and a single pole switch.
Easiest explanation for a 4-way switch is that it's an intersection for travelers. Instead of travelers going from one 3-way to another they go to an intersecting box, giving you a third switch or more. 4-way switches are purchased in a box and that box has instructions printed on the inside.
Excellent video! You saved me some time and money on this one. Thank you 🙏 And can you tell me where you purchased those cool tool waste bags, I can’t find them anywhere?
How are you doing hope that everything is going well for You. I'm very pleased with you patience ,the way exactly how you explained step by step all that We need to know. I'm very proud to keep learning from your experience ✨️ THANKS AGAIN
Thanks for this video! I messed up a three way in kitchen and it was driving me crazy!
Very informative and easy to understand. Thank you.
Thanks i had the two black wires backwards. It would blow the fuses when i used one side of the switch. Thanks for explaining this!
I did it all exactly like this, and the switch won't even turn on. Does the other switch have to be hooked up in order to even test it?
What if you are working in an old house and your box is jammed with 7 wires that all look black? Took me two months and major wall removal to figure it out. Haha “same sheathing”? What if there is NO sheathing. PLEASE make a video about troubleshooting. A swap in same for same with tips is good. But I need more. (Love your videos, this three way just brings back bad memories)
I know this was posted a year ago, however, in this case you could measure continuity between both ends of the cables and start labeling them with white, green, red, blue and yellow tape on the ends
Could you tell me what brand your tool holder is and where you bought it?
You had me at 3way 😉😉😉
Great video. What if you have a black wire, white wire and a red wire? I am replacing switches and I when I took this three way off I lost track of the wire positions. Like I really can't see where the wires go into the sheathing very well.
Thanks for this video and thorough explanation. I needed it!
Thank you so much! Well explained. I have several of these switches that are older models in a house that I bought a few years ago. I would like to ask if joining this channel would give me access to answers to any questions that may pop up during the replacement/removal process ? TIA! Oh and by the way, I love my Electrician U T-shirt! Lightweight and comfortable.
This helped a ton! Thank you!
Thanks - short and sweet. It will be easy to remember. On the 3-way switch that mates with the first one, which wire goes on the black screw. The one going to the light or the device?
Very instructional...How would "replace" a 3-way switch with a switch/combination device. Thank You.
Question..the breaker labeled lights for kitchen, garage and foyer tripped and when I reset it's blinking red! What happened?
I’m not an electrician, but buy and sell property. I see a lot of videos about replacing a none grounded receptacle with a GFI receptacle , so what about the other receptacles in the room? And or the receptacles down line what do you do to them , do you put regular 3 prong in them or do you leave the 2 prong and add an adapter?
Thank you for this explanation. Very helpful!
Perfect 👍 hey, you think you can do a video on how to add an extra light on your ring floodlight camera
Hey is there a way to take the hot side of a three-way switch and use a two wire remote switch to turn on the light on that side never using the other side.
Thank you, but on my switch there is also another black wire plugged in directly to the back of the old outlet. My new outlet doesn’t have a hole in the back so I don’t know where to put that wire
will the switch still work correctly if there is not ground wire?
Thank you so much I rate this video 100
is it code to put 14 and 12 gauge wire together in one box?
Great explanation as usual ... These type vids really help people ... Thx ...
Damn. Other videos showed the hot on gold and now I gotta redo all of them to black. Good channel.
Does code allow using two pieces of 12/2 instead of a single 12/3?
This is what I just saw in the 3 way switches for lights in my large backyard shed.
I don't think this is a code violation. Nothing in the code book (2020) specifically mentions forbidding using multiple cables for a specific application. I've actually wired dead end three ways with 2 pieces of 14/2 in lieu of 14/4 as follows. One run for travelers, one run for hot and neutral. I used phase tape to mark the black and white, red and blue respectively on the traveler set. This was a renovation and I needed to add another switch to a single pole switch, and also have a couple of receptacles right below the 3 way switch I added. The inspector allowed this.
What if i only have 1 white, 1 red and 1 black wire? Can i make it work with those?
Nicely explained thanks
Thank you for the useful information, I fixed a switch that my contractor originally installed.
What if all 4 wires coming into my switch box are from the same pc of romex ? Black, white, red and ground. When I moved in there was no switch installed. Just wires tucked in the box. Previous owner told me this box was once the 3 way switch for my ceiling light….
Thank you for explaining this and in a way i can understand it. God bless you.
Great video. Great explanation. Thank you
I do have a question on this because I have three way motion sensor switch in the hallway and I recently changed out the other switch with a switch that has a nightlight and I can’t get the switches to work properly, the switch with the nightlight requires a neutral for the nightlight to work. Now the switches don’t work with each other and I can’t figure out why? Any idea what may be the issue?
Does your nightlite switch works with the 3way sensor switch? I mean, does the lights controled by the 3way sensor switch are also supposed to be controled by the nightlite switch? If so, is the nightlite switch, a 3way?
@@martf1061 yes both switches are for a three way circuit
@@oscargarcia6929 for the neutral, you can use the ground as neutral for the nightlite switch.
And does your nightlite switch already have wires on it? If so, how many, and what color are they?
From what i understand, your switch has something like, one white, one green, and 3 other wires.
Whats the color of thoses 3 other?
@@martf1061 no wires come with it, you use the wiring in the box your hot,travelers,neutral and your ground. Here is the type of switch it is-
radiant 15 Amp 120-Volt Single-Pole/3-Way Rocker Light Switch with Night Light, White
And the motion sensor is-
Lutron Maestro 5 Amp Single-Pole or Multi-Location Motion Sensor Switch, White
@@oscargarcia6929 and what is not working properly ?
Is it that the motion sensor only works when the other switch is in a certain position?
Or is it that, even if you turned off the lights with the rocker 3way switch, the 3way motion sensor can still turn on the lights on its own?
Great Chanel 👍 👌 what kind of bags are those!?
On man, you really saved me today! A million thanks for this video....
Do you have a video showing how to put wires on devices that the wire bent into a hook and one that uses a plate?