

If electric loads that are controlled in this manner need to be serviced, power must be safely disconnected at the source. Three and four-way switches are never to be used as disconnection means. When controlling a light from an additional location a double-pole, double-throw, or 4-way switch is inserted in between the two three-way switches 3-way and 4-way switching circuit From the final 3-way switch the common terminal is connected to the switch leg which then feeds the lamp load. The first 3-way switch will have the constant hot connected to its common terminal, then the two traveller terminals will be run to the second 3-way switch, where they will connect to the two traveller terminals. When installing 3-way switch loops all switching must be done in the ungrounded, or “hot” conductor. If a light was to be controlled from ten different locations, then we would need two 3-way switches and eight 4-way switches.Įach 3-way switch comes with three terminals: one common terminal and two traveller terminals.

When the key is turned to the on position, current. 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. This switch works with up to 600 Watts of incandescent, halogen, ELV and MLV, 5 Amps of dimmable LED and CFL, and 3 Amps of general purpose fans. From the directions the remaining black and red can be interchanged to the two black wires, line or load. This is the most common light switch found in a home. The switch is typically a 4-wire design with two terminals (usually blue and yellow) and two armatures. The red with the tag is supposed to only be used in a 3 way install.
#3 way switch with 4 wires series#
With a standard or single-pole wall switch, only one switch controls a light or series of lights. However, the 4-wire cable has a red wire aside from the bare copper wire, white wire, and. This is the most versatile way to electrically wire a ceiling fan with a light kit. There are several types of light switches that you will encounter when upgrading a switch to a Smart Switch in your home. four wires on a 3-way switch are similar to the wires already in it. For example, if a light is to be controlled from four different locations we would need two 3-way switches and two 4-way switches. Switching the Light and Fan from Separate Switches (Two Switches).
#3 way switch with 4 wires install#
If we need to control the light from more than two locations then we simply install a 4-way, or double-pole, double-throw, switch in between the two 3-way switches.Īs a rule, we must always install 3-way switches in pairs, and then as many 4-way switches as necessary. When a light is to be controlled from two different locations, such as the top and bottom of a set of stairs, or a room with more than one entrance, we use a pair of single-pole, double-throw switches to create a 3-way switch loop.
