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VERY IMPORTANT! Before working on any electrical modifications of your home read the first article in this series: Safety Concerns.
A 3 way switch circuit is used for turning one or more lights on from two different places. For example, turning the light on from the top of the stairs and turning it off at the bottom of the stairs.
Notice the black wire is used for switching purposes in combination with red and white wires. The white wire connected to a switch is colored black to show it is not a neutral wire. The black wire shown connected to the switches is connected at the common terminal on the switch. This terminal usually has a red screw and the word COMMON stamped on the back.
The first drawing shows the wiring of a 3 way switch with the power source entering the light box.
This second drawing shows the wiring for a 3 way switch when the power source enters the switch box.
