Electrical 101

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Two Switch Box Wiring Image

Two Switch Box Wiring

It is not unusual for the wires inside of an outlet box to be covered by spray paint from the initial construction of a dwelling. Common wire is wrapped three times around the two traveler wires for the 3-way switch on the right.

Multiple Switch Wiring 3-Way and Single Pole

Multiple Light Switch Wiring

With conventional light switch wiring using NM cable, a NM cable supplies line voltage from the electrical panel to a light switch outlet box. Another NM cable connects the first outlet box to the next box(es) and so on until you reach the end of the chain. Before 2011, the “end of the chain” switch was commonly wired using a 3-way switch wiring option.

Diagrams shown on this page are simplified for clarity. Electrical outlet boxes can have numerous NM cables going in and out. See “Actual Switch Box Wiring Diagram” below.

Ground connection diagram is shown separately.

Multiple Light Switch Wiring Diagram

Electrical Switches

Light Switch Wiring

Multiple Switch Wiring

Multiple Switch Wiring 3-way and Single Pole