What is a 3 terminal switch?

Three-way switches are commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. For example, a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three-way switches at each end so that lights can be turned on when approaching one end of the hall or stairway, then shut off from the other end.

How does the 3-way switch work?

Just to be clear, a 3-way switch never really turns on and off. It simply diverts power from one wire to the other – much like a railroad might switch a train from one track to another. Get the picture? We call the black circle the common terminal because it’s always connected to one of the brass terminals.

What color wire goes to the black screw on a 3 way switch?

The black wire from the circuit breaker panel gets attached to the black screw on the 3-way switch. The black and red wires from the white cable running between the switches get connected to either of the two brass screws on the switch.

Which is the common terminal on a 3 way switch?

The common terminal is one of three electrically active terminals on a 3-way switch (not including the ground terminal that is located on the metal frame of the mounting ears). The common terminal is the “bridge” between the power supply and the load (typically a light fixture).

Can a 3 way switch be used as a regular switch?

Yes it can work. 3-way switches are spdt (single pole double throw) with 3 screw terminals, and regular switches are spst (single pole single throw) with 2 screw terminals.

What is three terminal light socket?

The 3 terminal socket has 3 screws on the bottom for the wires to connect to the different bulbs. The broad headed screw connects the two smooth wires from the plug wire and the other socket. The brass screw connects to the smooth plug wire and the black screw connects to the smooth wire going to the other socket.

What is a three wire switch?

Three-way wire (which includes red, black and white wires) runs from the switch on the left to the switch on the right, with the white wire carrying ground and the red and black wires carrying the output from terminals in the left switch. Normal sheathed cable runs from the right switch to the light.