Wiring of a luminaire with two switches

 It is helpful to know how to wire a light fixture that is controlled by two switches instead of one. It's a little more complicated than simply wiring one switch at the end or in the middle of a circuit, mainly because there are more wires and connections involved. If at any time during the process you feel unsafe or fear that you are doing something wrong, you should stop and call an electrician.

Laying cables

Make sure the plastic control boxes and light box are all properly attached to the studs or joists and that the Romex cable is routed through them. A cable from the main power source should be run up inside the light box. There should be a 2-wire cable - a black, white and bare cable - between the light box and the first control box.

For the distance between the first and the second control box, run 3-core Romex. This cable consists of three wires and a ground: red, black, white and bare. Each cable should protrude at least 15 cm from the box, so you have enough space to work. More is better, because it can always be stuffed back in when it's wired.

Connecting the light box

Make sure the circuit you are working on is turned off at the breaker panel. Check this with a voltmeter. In the light box, remove the insulation from both ends of the Romex cable to expose the 3 wires inside. On both the cable from the power source and the cable going to the first control box, remove 2.5 cm of insulation from each wire: 2 black and 2 white. The bare ground is not insulated.

Connect the white wire from the power source to the white wire or silver screw on the fixture. Twist the ground wires together at both ends and secure with a wire nut. Wrap the end of the insulation on the white wire going to the first switch with a small piece of black electrical tape. Now twist this wire and the black wire from the source together and secure it with a second wire nut. Leave the black wire leading to the first switch alone for now.

Connection from switch box 

Remove an equal 2.5 cm of insulation from each of the wires in the first switch box. There should be a total of 5 wires stripped, not including the 2 ground wires: 2 white, 2 black, and 1 red. Take the white wire that you marked in the light box with black tape, and mark the other end with black tape. 

Call the Emergency Electrician in Dudley. After your call, we send to you an electrician to install the lights. Furthermore, we are 24 hours available. Call us now, 01384465898.