I have three different switches controlling one light fixture. Can someone tell me how to wire this set up? 4-way switches and 14-4 w/G wire? Thanks Charlie
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It is simple.
Power in to the 3 way, out with 2 legs to the 4 way. out with 2 legs to the last 3 way, then to the light. Black screws are the Power in & Power out on the 3 ways. The sides of the 4 way connect to the non black screws on the 3 way.
(use 3 wire W/G for the lines to & from the 4 way)
Do this though, Label the wires. It'll save confusion later when everything is behind the wall, and you are looking at a hole.
Here is a link if you are more visual.
http://www.hubbell-bryant.com/
Go to "product info" slide out & down to "Catalog - PDF format"
On page 323 of their catalog is a series of schematics.
PS if you decide to use the ground (green) wire in between switches this circuit as a switched leg you need to go find a large friend and have him slap you up side the head. If the wire isn't there you can't do it. I'm trusting you can run real wire to make this work.
Thanks a million, Booch; and don't worry it's all new wire
A circuit controlled from 3 locations requires 2 3-way switches w/ 1 4-way switch wired between them. Typically power into the system enters through 1 3-way sw. then passes through the 4-way, then exits the 2nd 3-way sw. and goes to the light fixture.
I wish I could draw you a simple diagram that makes this easier to understand. I have found some good websites on home electrical, though the only one I can think of right off is http://www.danswiringpage.com. Can't really r emember how much detail he goes into on 4-ways. Go to http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/3wayswitch.html
Just refound this one, excellent overview. of this.
Please do yourself a favor, and buy a good basic wiring book w/ lots of color drawings and pictures. Read and study it, then do what I did before wiring my first 3-way and 4-way set ups. Get all the parts needed: 3-way switches, 4-way sw., light fixture, wire (14-3 if you like, I only use 12-3) and a male grounded plug. Take all these parts, wire them into a 3-way circuit with a cord plug, then plug it in and make sure it works right. Do this on a workbench w/ short runs of wire. Once this works and you understand why, then unplug it, and wire a 4-way switch into the circuit and make sure that works.
Do not mess w/ the wiring in your house until you thourghly understand what you are doing. Doing this on a workbench will help you gain this understanding.
If you haven't done much wiring before, start w/ more basic things; 1-way switches, outlets, replacing a light fixture. If you wire a 4-way sw. screwy even an electrician may be hard pressed to straighten things back out. Sorry this sounds so negative, but don't play w/ electricity. Fires are no fun, though a shot of 110VAC will wake you up a bit<g>.
Educate yourself first, then get someone competent to help walk you through it the first few times if possible. Books and web sites are excellent for this. After that, one of my favorite things to do is wire buildings. Even enjoy trouble shooting others mistakes, though I hate it when I make one.
Oh, another advantage to doing this on a workbench first, you'll be sure all the switches work. I once wasted hours trying to trouble shoot a circuit only to finally figure out one of the NEW switches was bad. Last thing I thought to check.
Enjoy.
Work smart, be safe, know your limitations, and have fun.
Edited 11/6/2002 11:46:03 AM ET by BILLYG83440
Ditto Billy.
One more thought, avoid putting a dimmer in the last 3 way. I did that and the Leviton model doesn't work like a std 3 way as I find myself with a long dark walk to turn the Pot up before the rest of the circuit will produce light. Too low a priority to yank it & replace it.
If you want that dimmer function controlled from multiple locations, we're beyond what can be done with traditional 3 way/4 way wiring. You need to go to X-10 or whatever the latest high tech control thing is now.
-- J.S.
Or even try the classic/commercial GE/Bryant 24 V relay system - any number of switches you want per light fixture. For 1 step dimming, 2 relays, one with dimmer downstream of relay. That's what my abode uses.
Yes this one was supposed to be put in an out of the way place by my understanding. Stupid design.
Thanks for your help, Billy and don't worry I've wired a few houses--it's just been a while and I couldn't remember the 4-way thingy. Charlie
Glad to hear it.
I was afraid I was talking down to you and might offend you.
Just always leary someone will try something they saw on tv once.
Reminds me funny story of a friend in Georgia. He had an old 57 Chevy station wagon. Wonderful car. Power windows the whole deal. Started having electrical problems w/ it. I stop by one day and he's working on it. Someone had replaced every wire in the car w/ skyblue wire. He ended up totally rewiring it because it was impossible to trouble shoot. Fortuantely he was a mechanic, it'd have been way beyound my skill level.