

Note that the diagrams below assume that you’re following all recommended practices for safe installation of electrical circuits. Actually, you very likely do NOT have a black hot and a white neutral. For clarity, check out the illustrations below. The other two wires can attach to either of the paired terminals. Before starting any electrical project, plan your circuitry and the best route for cables. We brought power to the first three-way switch box, which is common, but other configurations exist. To do this, put a piece of tape on the wire that goes to the “common” (third) terminal screw. Four-way switches must be installed into the circuit in between two separate three-way switches.

The second controls the light in the hall. One 3 way circuit controls a light at the top of the stairs. I have an older home with a stair way down to a hallway. Is it possible to connect 2 separate 3 way circuits to make a single 4 way circuit. When replacing an existing three-way light switch, be sure to return the wires to the proper screw terminals. Hi Phil, great article helps me understand how 3 and 4 way circuits work. The green screw at the bottom end is for attaching the ground (green or bare) wire. For example, the switch shown below has one silver and one gold screw opposite one another and a bronze screw in the third position.
#3 way switch with 4 wires how to#
Unfortunately, they are not standardized. How to Wire a Three-Way Switch Step 1: Turn the Power Off Step 2: Decide on the Location Step 3: Replace the Old Switch Step 4: Run the Cable Step 5.

My guess is that I use a wire nut and combine the two black wires (that are still fully seated) along with either black or red off the dimmer. Step 1: Locate your switches The most basic three-way switch setup has two switches that connect and control one light fixture, like switches on either end of a hallway, staircase or large. From the directions the remaining black and red can be interchanged to the two black wires, line or load. Not all three-way switches have these terminals placed in the same configuration, so you have to pay attention to the terminal screw colors (and the instructions that come with the package) when wiring a 3-way switch (or a pair of them). For more than two switches, one or more 4-way switches are added between the 3-way switches. The red with the tag is supposed to only be used in a 3 way install. On most 3-way switches, two of the terminals are the same color (typically silver or brass), and the third terminal, called a “common terminal,” is a different, often darker, color. Wiring from the second switch to your light fixture or fixtures can be regular 3-wire cable. This extra wire between the switches in needed for the 'traveler' wires. Smart Devices Protect Your Home During Power Outages & Surges When wiring a three-way switch, you will need 3-wire cable coming from the power source and then 4-wire cable going between the two switches.
