3 Answers

  1. replace that switch with a single-pole switch.
  2. connect either of the “traveler” wires to the load side.
  3. remove the other (unwanted) switch and connect the traveler wire used in step-2 to the “switched hot” wire that goes to the lights.
  4. the unused “traveler” wire is abandoned.

How do you convert a 3 way switch to a single switch?

To convert a 3-way switch to single pole, one of the traveler wires is removed from the switch. In order for a 3-way switch to function as a single pole, the wires need to be connected to the common and one of the traveler terminals. It will not work if the wires are connected to the two traveler terminals.

Can you eliminate a 3 way switch?





Remove the Three-Way Switch From the Circuit



Start with the three-way switch that will be removed. Remove the switch cover plate screws with the slot screw driver, and then remove the two switch screws. Carefully pull out the switch, making sure not to touch or short any of the three wires.

Can you convert a 3 way switch to an outlet?

If you want to then install a wall outlet into the circuit, you can do so. A three-way switch should have one brass and two black terminals. Leave the two black terminals as they are and use the wire from the brass terminal. Make a pigtail with it, the wire for the new outlet and a bit of extra wire.

How do you bypass a 3 pole switch?


Quote from Youtube video: Right so this is how we handle it the 3-way wire is all taped capped off and eliminated. The grounds are still tied together. And we have our 120 volt power and neutral wire. There over on this side

Can a 3-way switch be used as a single pole switch?

Yes it can work. 3-way switches are spdt (single pole double throw) with 3 screw terminals, and regular switches are spst (single pole single throw) with 2 screw terminals.

Can you wire a 3-way switch as a 2 way?





A three-way switch is designed to work in tandem with another three-way switch to allow you to control a fixture from two different locations. For this reason, it doesn’t have on/off markings because it can turn off the power when it is both up and down, depending on the orientation of the other switch.

How do you decommission a light switch?

It won’t take more than five minutes to do this.

  1. Turn off the circuit breaker in the main panel that controls the fixture. …
  2. Unscrew the cover from the switch, using a flathead screwdriver. …
  3. Turn off the switch, then turn on the breaker. …
  4. Turn off the breaker. …
  5. Push the switch back into the box and screw it in place.


How do I replace a 3-way switch with a smart switch?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The smart switch can be installed in either location. Be sure to turn off the power for your existing device at the circuit breaker flip each of the 3-way switches.

How do you wire a double pole switch to a single pole?



Use one screw in the ” On ” position and one screw in the ” Off ” position on the same side. Use the same clockwise wrapping technique as the ground wire to attach the black cables to the two screws. Which black wire goes on top or the bottom does not matter. Push all cables into the box and fold as they go.

What is the common wire in a 3-way switch?

Black wire: This is a hot wire that carries electricity from the power source to the first switch in a typical 3-way setup. It’s also called the “common wire” or the “line wire.” Unless the breaker is off, this black wire is always hot.

Can you use a 3-way switch as a 4 way?

A 4way switch will not work in place of a 3way. The common toggle (in), whether up or down on a 3way switch, comes in contact with both switch leg (out) terminals. A 4way switch will not accomplish this. The 4way is more like two “separate” single gang switches, they will not work in unison as one.

What is the difference between a single-pole and 3-way switch?



The most common household switch, a single-pole, has two terminals and simply turns power on or off. A three-way switch has three terminals; a four-way has four.

Do both switches need to be 3 way?

The key ingredient is a special type of switch called a “three-way” switch. You’ll need two of them, one to replace the existing switch and another for the new switch location. With these, you’ll have the convenience of turning a light on and off from two spots.

How do you tell if it’s a 3 way switch?

A more positive way to identify a 3-way switch is to look at the body of the switch and count the number of screw terminals: a 3-way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Two of the terminals are a light color—bronze- or copper-colored—and are called travelers.

Is 2 way and 3 way switch the same?

Much like the two-way switch, a three-way switch turns a light on or off. However, there is a crucial difference. The three-way switch is used in conjunction with another three-way switch. Each one of them has the power to interrupt the electrical flow and turn the light off from a different part of the room.

What is the difference between 1 Way 2 way and 3 way switch?



A one-way switch only has two contacts while a two-way switch has three. A one-way switch basically operates as a make or break switch. When it is turned on, the two terminals are connected, and when it is turned off, the contact between the two is broken.

How do you wire a single pole switch with 3 wires?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Red and the hot wire from the light fixture connected. Together running to a 14 3 3 wire with ground wire. Going to the j box to the light switch.

How can you tell if a switch is 1 way or 2 way?

The one-way switch has two contacts and the two-way switch has three contacts. In a two-way switch, there are two, one-way switches combined in one. One of the terminals can be connected to either of the two, but not both at the same time.