No, there is not always continuous electrical power present at every single 3-way switch in a multi-location lighting setup. In standard residential wiring, power from the main service panel enters either at the first switch box, directly into the light fixture box, or at the second switch box depending on the specific installation method used by the electrician. Therefore, one of the 3-way switches will receive live line voltage while the other switch only receives traveler wire current when toggled. You can troubleshoot electrical power safely using a non-contact voltage tester or a digital multimeter before servicing components. You can verify that your testing is successful when checking terminal screws with a tester confirms exactly which box contains live power and which acts as the switch leg.
1 votes
Marked as accepted