How to Wire a Light Fixture With Two Switches
- 1). Run the 14/3 cable between the two switch boxes. At the first switch box, strip 6 inches of insulation from the end of the cable, and separate the three wires inside. Strip 3/4 inch of insulation from the black and red wires. Use your pliers to curve the end of the red wire around one light-colored screw, and repeat with the black wire on the other light-colored screw. Tighten the screws snugly with your screwdriver. Repeat this procedure at the second switch box. The white wire should not be connected yet.
- 2). Run the 14/2 cable from the second switch box to the light fixture. Strip off 6 inches of insulation from each end of the cable followed by 3/4 inch of insulation from each end of the black wire and the white wire. At the light fixture, hold the bare end of the black wire from the light switch parallel with the bare end of the black wire that is part of the fixture. Use your pliers to twist the bare wires together clockwise. This is called "splicing." Twist a wire connector onto the splice until snug. The connector should completely cover the bare wire; otherwise use your wire cutters to cut off enough bare wire so that the remaining wire will be covered. Now splice the white wire from the light switch with the white wire from the light fixture, and twist a wire connector over that splice. Use your pliers to curve the bare copper ground wire around the grounding screw on the light fixture, and tighten the screw.
- 3). Go to the second switch box, and splice the two white wires together. Twist a wire connector onto the splice. Curve the black wire around the dark-colored COM terminal, and tighten the screw. Cut a 4-inch piece of bare copper wire from a scrap piece of cable, and connect one end to the green ground terminal on the switch and splice the other end with the other two bare copper wires coming from the first switch and the light. Fold the excess wires neatly, and push them into the switch box. Screw the switch to the switch box.
- 4). Return to the first switch. If necessary, strip 6 inches of insulation from the cable coming from the service panel and separate the wires; then strip 3/4 inch of insulation from the black wire and the white wire. Splice the white wires together, and twist on a wire connector. Curve the black wire around the dark-colored COM terminal, and tighten the screw to secure the wire in place. Cut another 4-inch piece of bare copper wire, and connect one end to the green ground terminal on the switch and splice the other end with the other two bare copper wires. Fold the excess wires neatly, and push them into the switch box. Screw the switch to the switch box.
- 5). Turn on the electrical circuit, and test your installation.
