2-Way Switch Wiring

The following list outlines how to correctly wire a two-way switch.

• The white wires on both ends of the cable going to switch 1 and running between switch 1 and switch 2 should have a piece of black electrical tape on them to signify that they deal with the hotwire and not a neutral.
• Bare ground wires are together and if a metallic electrical box then ground to box. Non-metallic boxes do not have a grounding screw, just put all bars together and put an insulated wire nut on the wires.
• In this arrangement, both switches must be on to connect/conduct, and 1 switch can break the circuit.
• It would be rare that you would need this kind of series configuration. The only instance that comes to mind is if you wanted an emergency cut off at 2 locations for such items as a furnace.