How to Use Electrical Pigtails in Wiring a 3-Way Switch

When it comes to connecting a 3-way switch, the first sight of the electrical box with so many wires and connection might scare you, but using electrical pigtails this can be made easy and you can connect the 3-way switch correctly. Pigtails help to stretch the connection and bring power from one stationary terminal to another terminal with limited amount of motion. Electrical pigtails vary in length and you can have an electrical pigtail for connecting a 3 way switch according to your need.

Step 1: Understanding the Switch Box

Before starting to work you must turn off the power supply from the mains or you can turn of the circuit breaker so that there is no chance of, you getting a shock. Locate the three wires inside the switch box. According to the standard color coding there will be one black, one white and a non-insulated bare copper wire inside the box. There is one set of wire bringing power from the circuit breaker to the switch and another set going into the fixture junction box.

Step 2: Creating the Pigtail

After the wires are located properly, you have to create the pigtails. For this, cut about 6 inch of the 14 gauge green wire. Use a cutter to do so and cut two pieces of the green solid wire. Once again use the cutter to remove the insulation from both the end of these wires for about half an inch. You must strip the insulation very carefully, making sure you are not damaging the conducting wire inside.

Step 3: Phase 1 Connection

At first connect the white wire of the switch box into the circuit. Next take the white power supply wire and the one that is going to the fixture junction and using an orange wire nut connect them. A 3-way switch has four terminals, one black, two copper and another green terminal. Connect the red wire to the left copper terminal, the black wire or the power supply wire to the common black terminal. Next connect the black wire coming from the fixture to the copper terminal that is beside the black one on the right of the switch. Use the screwdriver to tighten the connection of the wires with the terminals of the switch. Next connect the two green pigtail wires with the bare copper wires inside the switch box using an orange nut and connect the green wire to the green terminal of the switch.

Step 4: Phase 2 Connection

Similarly connect the other 3-way switch on the other end of the circuit. Connect the red wire to the terminal of the switch that is on the left, the black wire to the common black terminal and the white wire, which has a black tape wrapped on it, with the other terminal on the right. Similarly connect the green pigtail wires and finally the green ground wire to the green terminal. Install the switches to the switch box and turn on the power supply.