How can you wire a two way switch to make it a 3-way switch?

Vernon McCall
by Vernon McCall
In my granddaughter's room she has a single two way switch. However, you have to walk accross the dark room to turn it on.

  5 answers
  • Gale Allen Jenness Gale Allen Jenness on Dec 25, 2017

    There is no way to make a two way switch a three way switch without requiring and adding three way switches that adds another wire for alternating the power back and forth between the two switches. Only other choice you can use easily is putting up a fan with a light that has a remote that you can attached to any wall you like! Then you’ll be able to turn the light on and off from your other wall. You can still turn off the original switch, but it will need to be turned back on before the remote will work again! If possible I would just use the remote to control the lights!

  • William William on Dec 25, 2017

    NO! Threeway switches have a fourth wire which is a traveler between the two switches. The traveler wire connects power between the two switches so either switch can be used to turn on/off whatever is connected to them. You would need an electrician to install a second switch box, a switch and rewire the distant switch to the second switch.

  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Dec 25, 2017

    what you actually have is a single pole switch. A 3 way allows you to turn it on from a second location. If you are able to get a new 3 wire run from the original switch to the desired location, then yes it most certainly can be done. You eant it run from switch to switch. NOT from the light/fan itself.

    Yes, it can be done reasonably too!

  • Ellis Ellis on Dec 26, 2017

    There are "wall switches" you can buy that will turn on a lamp across the room, plugged into a companion component to the switch. Might be a good quick solution until you can get the re-wiring done.