The black wire from the circuit breaker panel gets attached to the black screw on the 3-way switch. The black and red wires from the white cable running between the switches get connected to either of the two brass screws on the switch.

What wire goes to the black screw on a switch?

As marked before from the original switch, one wire (either power in, or the wire to the light fixture) goes to the black terminal, two wires go to the brass screws, and the bare copper wire (not visible here) goes to the ground screw.

Where does the black wire go on a three-way switch?

The black hot wire enters the switch on the left. Three-way wire(which includes red, black and white wires) runs from the switch on the left to the switch on the right, with the white wire carrying ground and the red and black wires carrying the output from terminals in the left switch.

What is the name of the black screw on a 3-way switch?

common terminal The last screw is the common terminal. It is a darker color than the travelers, usually dark brass, copper, or black.

What is the correct way to wire a 3 way switch?

When wiring a 3-way switch, first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. Connect the ground wire to the green screw. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws.

Can there be 2 hot wires on a 3-way switch?

The switch with two hot wires has to be power feed. The power is on the common(black) terminal and toggles between the other two. If you flip the switch you will find the other terminal become hot and first one go dead.