Regardless of what 3 way switch wiring diagram you re following you ll need to use a 3 wire cable to connect the two 3 way light switches.
Three way light wiring.
Wiring a 3 way light switch.
First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches.
Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.
This 3 way light switch diagram shows connections when the power comes into the first switch on to the second switch and then on to two or more lights switched by the 3 way circuit.
Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light.
The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals.
No longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes 3 way switch wiring diagram light fixture between switchesline voltage enters the first 3 way switch outlet box light fixture is located between switch boxes no longer allowed after 2011 nec if no neutral wire in switch boxes.
To wire a 3 way light switch you ll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires.
3 way switch wiring diagram line to light fixtureline voltage enters the light fixture outlet box.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.
So what you should see if you have correct 3 wire electrical cable romex is a black power white neutral and now a 3rd red wire.