Installing dimmer in circuit with 2 3way switches

[rmack898]

I have lighting on my porch that is controlled from 3 separate locations. In normal use we only use 1 location for control of this light and we want to add a dimmer to that location.

The switch I want to replace has two reds, two whites, and a ground. The dimmer I want to install has one black, one red, one red w/white stripe and a ground.

Can I do this with what I have or do I need a different dimmer.

 

[Duke74]

Your existing wire is set up for a 4 way switch. The new dimmer you have is a 3 way dimmer. You will need a 4 way dimmer.

 

[Shiftless]

Duke is right.

None of my business but…
You‘ve got an unusual situation controlling a porch light from 3 different locations. Did you wire it up that way for a special reason? Do you really need to sometimes dim your porch light?

 

[rmack898]

Duke is right.

None of my business but…
Did you wire it up that way for a special reason?

Thanks Duke, new dimmer ordered.

Shift, The porch light in question is actually a ceiling fan light on our back porch. Two bedrooms have French doors that open to the back porch and local code required control of the outside light at the bedroom exit to the porch. We never use those bedroom switches and only use the switch at the sliding door on the porch. Laura would like to dim the fan lights down a bit when we sit out there for adult beverages.

 

[BreeStephany]

How close are the switches to one another? Another option for multiple point dimming is to use Lutron Caseta dimmer at the power-in point and then you can use remote Pico switches in all other locations, even where there is no wiring for the circuit.

The Pico remote saved me from doing a whole lot of destructive rewiring when a customer did not explain that they wanted to control a set of kitchen lights from the entrance and the kitchen until after the sheetrock, cabinets and countertops were in. I just put a Caseta in at the switch in the kitchen and then put a Pico remote at the entrance.

Yes, the Pico remotes run on li-ion coin batteries, but are guaranteed by Lutron for 10 years of use, and I added a nice, small note in the panel which reminded the customer that the switch at the entrance was battery controlled and the battery may need replacement in approx. 10 years.

Another option is to use a Lutron master dimmer switch at the point where power enters the 4 way lighting circuit and then use slave dimmers at the other 2 locations.

Another option, as others have suggested, is to put a 3-way general purpose dimmer at the point where power enters the lighting circuit, a 4-way general purpose dimmer at the center point of switch circuit and a 3-way general purpose dimmer at the point where the switch leg enters the lighting circuit.

Just my two cents.

 

[rburke65]

As said…that is a 4 way switch. If you had 100 switches controlling a light fixture, the first switch and the last switch in the series would be 3 way switches. The #2 thru #99 would all be 4 way switches. Just a little info.

 

[PCustoms]

Since you're well past inspection and I can't see the electrical safety reason for having a switch in the bedroom required, remove it.

 

[48windsor]

Thx rburke65 I didnt know what you shared.
I read this thread with interest.
Wiring hallway switches is one thing that stumps me . Wish I could get it through my head clearly

 

[PoorUB]

Another thing you might consider is a remote control dimmer that mounts in the electrical box at the light. A control module gets wired in and stuffed into the box at the light fixture, and you have a small remote control. No need to screw with the existing wires, plus remote control.

 

[Mr_fixit]

never heard of a 4 way dimmer. That's cause it probably doesn't exist!