Turn off power at the breaker panel before connecting any conductors. A dual-location lighting control uses two wall control units linked by traveler conductors, allowing a single lamp to be operated from different points in a hallway, stairwell, or large room. Correct placement of line, load, and traveler connections prevents short paths and erratic lamp behavior.
The device contains three active terminals plus a ground connection. One terminal, often marked with a darker screw, carries the incoming hot conductor from the electrical panel. Two lighter screws handle traveler conductors that link both control units. The outgoing conductor feeding the lamp attaches to the common terminal on the second unit.
Traveler conductors typically appear in a red and black pair within a three-conductor cable. These lines transfer the active path between both wall controls. When the handle on either unit changes position, the internal contacts redirect the current path and either complete or interrupt power flowing to the lamp.
Ground conductors remain connected to green screws on each device and continue to the metal box or grounding bundle. Neutral conductors usually bypass the control units and connect directly to the lamp holder. Keeping these paths separate avoids overload and simplifies troubleshooting if the light fails to operate.
Inspect screw terminals after installation. Loose connections lead to flickering lights or overheating at the contact point. Tight terminals and clearly routed conductors allow the lighting control system to function reliably across both operating locations.
Eaton 3 Way Switch Wiring Diagram with Traveler Wires and Terminal Layout
Connect the incoming hot conductor to the common terminal marked with the darker screw. This terminal carries power from the breaker panel and routes it through the lighting control system. If this connection is placed on a traveler terminal, the lamp may remain permanently off or permanently on.
Two traveler terminals handle the red and black conductors running between both wall control units. These terminals usually use brass screws. The pair forms a path that alternates current flow depending on the handle position of each control unit. This design allows a single lamp to be operated from two different locations.
Terminal Layout
The device contains four main connection points:
Common terminal with dark screw for line or load conductor
Two brass traveler terminals for interconnecting conductors
Green screw for equipment ground connection
The first control unit receives the hot supply from the electrical panel. The second unit connects its common terminal to the lamp conductor leading to the light fixture. Traveler conductors link both devices through the brass terminals.
Connection Path
Electrical flow follows this sequence: breaker panel sends power to the common terminal of the first control unit, current passes through one of the traveler conductors toward the second unit, internal contacts route the current to its common terminal, and the final conductor feeds the lamp. Changing the handle position redirects the path and toggles the light.
Ground conductors connect to green screws and continue to the metal wall box or grounding bundle. Neutral conductors bypass the control units and connect directly to the light fixture. Keeping neutral separate from traveler paths prevents improper operation and reduces troubleshooting time.
Eaton 3 Way Switch Terminal Identification and Screw Color Functions
Locate the dark screw first and connect the incoming hot conductor to this terminal. This point serves as the common connection that receives power from the breaker panel or sends power toward the light fixture depending on which control unit in the pair you are installing.
The darker screw differs from the others in both color and placement. It usually appears black or deep bronze and sits slightly apart from the two traveler terminals. Connecting the supply conductor to this location ensures the lighting path operates correctly between both control units.
Two brass screws handle traveler conductors. These terminals connect to the red and black wires that run between both wall devices. The internal contacts redirect the active path between these two terminals as the toggle changes position.
Traveler conductors do not carry constant power. Their role is to transfer the electrical path between the two control points. Reversing the traveler pair normally does not stop operation, yet placing one of them on the common screw will interrupt the lighting function.
The green screw marks the grounding terminal. A bare copper or green-insulated conductor attaches here and continues to the metal electrical box or grounding bundle inside the wall cavity. This connection provides a safety path for stray current.
Neutral conductors usually remain tied together inside the box using a wire connector. They bypass the control devices and continue directly to the lamp holder. This separation keeps the switching mechanism working only with the hot conductor.
Inspect the screw heads after tightening each conductor. Loose terminals generate heat and may cause flickering or intermittent light operation. Conductors should wrap clockwise around each screw so tightening pulls the wire firmly against the contact plate.
Check insulation clearance near the terminal plate. Copper should sit fully under the screw head with no exposed strands touching adjacent contacts. Clean placement of conductors ensures stable operation across both lighting control points.