Is there a way to wire a four way switch so that power goes first to the four way switch? Diagrams I have seen only show the power going first to one of the three way switches or to the light that is controlled by the switches.
Four way switch question
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BigGarage
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I don't think so but I am not an electrician. I think they are specifically intended for use between 3 way switches.
Dennis
checkthisout
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No.
If your wall is open you van another nm cable between the middle and end box though.
If your wall is open you van another nm cable between the middle and end box though.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
No.
You need two 3-way switches for a 4 way switch to work.
What are you trying to accomplish?
You need two 3-way switches for a 4 way switch to work.
What are you trying to accomplish?
Basically trying to change lites that are controlled at 2 locations into lites that are controlled at 3 locations. I have run 14.3 wire to the new location but my power source is where I would like the 4 way switch to go. Just trying to avoid running more wire
Milton Shaw
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All the 4 ways I have seen are designed to switch the travelers, so they have to be in the between two 3 way's.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Theres no way around that.
The 4-way needs to switch the 2 travellers between the 3-way switches.
The power feed from the breaker goes to the common/black screw on one 3-way and power out to fixture goes on black/common screw of other 3-way.
To save on wire, would 14 or 12-2-2 nm-b help?
My other complication is that the lites are at our boathouse so I need them to be on a gfci protected circuit . Ideally this would be powered through the boathouse subpanel which is all gfci protected. But I can also tap into a gfci protected circuit at the cabin and have the cabin switch be the first 3 way switch and then run that to the four way in the boathouse and then the other 3 way in the boathouse and then to the lites
klassenl
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Yes it can be done as long as the current switching is wired properly. You do have to understand how 3 and 4 way switching works.
klassenl
Well-known member
Attachments
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Since the lights are in the boathouse, the feed for the cicuit needs to originate in the BH subpanel
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Thank you much. I will give it a try. I won't be back up there until the end of september.
I did not know that. Even if one of the 3way switches is in the cabin where the power originates in?
ard
Well-known member
eh. Technically (at least in the USA) you cannot have power to an outbuilding from two different sources.
If the power comes from the cabin, but ultimately lights a bulb in the boathouse, you may be in violation.
IMO, not a huge deal unless it is getting inspected. But as you can see, you can supply power anywhere- even at the light itself
If the power comes from the cabin, but ultimately lights a bulb in the boathouse, you may be in violation.
IMO, not a huge deal unless it is getting inspected. But as you can see, you can supply power anywhere- even at the light itself
sberry
Banned
I still gotta look at the pitchurs, more than 3 wires confuses me. Its been on my to do list to learn it. I usaually have my helper wire them up while I drill holes.
That's what's so great about wireless.
Get power to one master switch in the boat house and then use wireless remote switches in place of all the others. Gets rid of all the 3way 4way confusion.
www.casetawireless.com
CD
strutaeng
Well-known member
It's not "that" hard, just an extra wire, LOL. I had wired many 3-ways, but not 4-ways, but just followed the diagrams and did my 1st 4-way on a recent build.
Electricians that wire these frequently may have it memorized. DIYs will likely have to look at the packaging for wiring them.
Besides, aren't those fancy light switches like $60 each? I've seen them at Lowes, but just don't see the point. A wired 4-way switch is like $10! Romex is cheap. Maybe for high-end they are desired.
Not everything has to be over-complicated!
There are several threads here from people asking for help wiring 3way and 4way switches in both new construction and retrofit applications. I'm glad it was easy for you, but just have a look back at some of these threads and take notice how hard it is for others.
While they are trying to figure out the wiring, how to pull the wires, drilling holes, cutting drywall, crawling in crawl spaces, nailing up boxes and mostly spending time that could be better used drinking beer, all they really need to do is to wire up one switch and then stick all the remaining switches on the wall wherever they want them. You can try to compare pricing if you want to, but if you're going to do an honest comparison, then you should factor in the cost of labor, whether it's your own or someone you hire. To me, it's the wired system that's over-complicated.
CD
Crazyjake8493
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Thanks. In my situation the load/light comes off one of the three way switches so I think/hope that the earlier diagram may be easier for me to work with.
checkthisout
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This a good opportunity to install lighting automation. Do you have internet at the location?
ard
Well-known member
Ive had gadgets my whole life...
custom stuff....X10 for years, zwave for now. run a WISP, networked blah blah.
But there is something about the sublime simplicity of 'flip THAT switch and THAT light will come on...now, next week, in 10 years in 70 years'
yes, I have a ton of zwave controls, but when the router takes a dump or something glitches....and Im in Taipei and the wife texts me at 3AM 'the lights wont come on'... just flipping a switch is nice
custom stuff....X10 for years, zwave for now. run a WISP, networked blah blah.
But there is something about the sublime simplicity of 'flip THAT switch and THAT light will come on...now, next week, in 10 years in 70 years'
yes, I have a ton of zwave controls, but when the router takes a dump or something glitches....and Im in Taipei and the wife texts me at 3AM 'the lights wont come on'... just flipping a switch is nice