How To Wire A 4-Way Switch System Explained (2022) | Easy DIY Step By Step Tutorial For Beginners!

[@catcolbert9044]

Excellent explanation. We need to install a few three-way switches in our house. This makes the process very clear! Thank you. 😊

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@sabanvelovic7013]

@@FixThisHouse like people oooopp

[@arezhik7774]

Yup, started another video where they were wiring a 4-way just to confirm things. They showed a single 4 gang box with 4 switches in already and made it extremely difficult to see anything. This one is A LOT better.

[@jordanmaccartney8839]

Couldn't you just use two wire on the whole thing and re-identify the neutrals

[@Gosuzilla]

I just wanted to say thank you so much, for clear visual instructions, closeups, and clear explanations on this. You helped me troubleshoot and solve a major issue I had from bad electricians that did crappy work on my house switches.

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! So happy you got your issue solved! 👍🏽🙏🏽😊

[@giuseppepandolfo4815]

Just wired a four following your video step by step, fist time doin electrical in my life. Can’t take all the credit my wife was a big help, thank you so much for making it seem so easy.

[@jesseestrada4290]

On the 4 way it doesn't matter if red or black are on the same side, they just need to be one circuit on top and the other on the bottom, same on the 3 ways, first 3way switch power cable on the black scree and the travelers on the other screws, no matter the order, on the last 3way switch make sure the switch leg coming from the light is in the black screw and the travelers on the other screws no matter the order, what matters most is the common screws on the black wires on each side...! Good video man keep up the good work...!

[@netpasya]

I notice on the 3way switches, traveler1s (red) are on the left side and traveler2s (black) are on the right side. However, on the 4way switch, the 2 traveler1s are on the right and the 2 traveler2s are on the left. To keep things consistent, is it possible to always keep traveler1s on the left, and traveler2s on the right on all switches? Someone told me they always put the red traveler wires on top and the black traveler wires on the bottom for consistency.

[@macventurezrn7143]

Appreciate you taking your time explaining things. Even though I was tired and half asleep, you made it more educational than any of the videos I've seen in the past. Now I feel more confident fixing my light switches. Thanks Brotha!

[@redpilllense7125]

Bro!!!! Your videos are some of the BEST out there for us slow learners! I appreciate you so much for how well you articulate, explain and label out the entire process. I have a final on this type of project in my electrical class next week, I feel so much more confident after watching your videos. Just subscribed. Thank you!!!!! 🙏

[@anthonymac5252]

As someone in school for this doing it now, this was really helpful

[@MyNamesGeof]

Same

[@Shiestvillian]

Same

[@danle2884]

Best explanation of all. Especially about the wiring order. Thank you so, so much.

[@remuda97]

I have watched your presentation on how to install 3-way switches in the middle of circuit. I would like to add a third switch to that same circuit. I think I understand the basic principles but I want to be sure. Thank you. Another great training video! Thank you for your expertise and willingness to share.

[@summergilstrap1366]

I love your videos! You explain them so easily and you go back and say it again it helps alot. You explain them with so much compassion!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the feedback Summer! Means a lot! 🙏🏽😊

[@yepetoesca]

Amazing, the way you explain is simple and easy to understand. Thank you bud keep it up. Cheers

[@gt-guy4259]

I must say u explain everything very clearly thank you.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the love and support my friend 🙏🏽😊👍🏽

[@miguelcarranza184]

Sirrrr! I was afraid of ac, watching your videos made me understand basics, thank you so much for your time doing this to save time and money for us !

[@benly6065]

this is actually a very good , clear instructional video

[@Quetzachapin]

I just found and subscribed to this channel about a few days ago and I really really wish that I had found him a looong time ago. THANK YOU. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽🥰

[@illestofdemall13]

@@FixThisHouse Your loops are too short and some insulation is pinching under the terminal screws of the switches which can cause a bad connection down the road. Too much copper exposed isn't good but also not enough is also not good.

[@johnetwaroo5710]

Excellent video. Explain perfectly. Good job. Thank you.

[@AvocaSingleTrack]

You're is the first one i could understand. It's not that complicated. Other videos over explain it ! Thanks bud !

[@jonathanlazo6797]

Great video . Explains it so good 🙏🏻, needed a quick refresh and this vid was the best so far

[@nerisalicea4965]

Thank you for a clear illustration. This will make my project much easier.

[@marvellstarks2434]

I think I'm gonna make a move up just to practice it so it'll stick in my head for when I need it. But the way you explained it. I already got it now

[@chriskelvin248]

We just bought a house that has an enclosed breezeway between the kitchen and the garage. The first 3-way switch is in the kitchen right next to the door (perfect). The other 3-way switch is in the garage, after you go down 3 steps and walk 5 feet over to the switch (senseless). To add to the poor control logic, the breezeway has a third door to the backyard AND a fourth door to the front yard. 4 doors into an 11’x11’ room. So coming from outdoors into the breezeway, there are no switches to turn on the light! I was considering an occupancy sensor, but now that I understand how to correctly add 4-way switches (and the fact that there’s an attic above the breezeway) I’m just gonna add a wall switch next to each exterior door (and relocate that silly garage switch). Thank you!

[@trebbleshooter]

Thanks the labeling with the clear explanation was great.

[@pg3180]

Thank u For you r video I’m learn electricity with you

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@pablogonzales3704]

Thanks man was great 👍🏼 I installed my first 4 way light switches

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@patrickkillion4416]

Thank you for explanation it worked perfectly for me at my house

[@scat9591]

I love your videos, you really describe everything in a very professional manner!!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the love and support! 🙏🏽😊

[@navy9398]

I always wanted to know that. Now I get it. That was very well done. Thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! Thank you for the feedback 🙏🏽😊

[@TheHockeyfan51]

Great instruction, will use on a current project. Thanks!

[@albertsroofing2880]

Your top dog easy explain 👍🏼👍🏼

[@hablemos4173]

Very good job I have questions why you put the red cable in the 4 switch in the right side

[@bradlozen1463]

I was hoping to see how you packed the wiring into the j-box. I know how but for those that dont know how; they need to know to keep the bare ground wires away from the switch terminals. I would say thsts just as important as learning to wire the 3 & 4 way switches correctly.

[@andrewchristiansen8311]

Another solid video. I'm subbed.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@TheodoreKasper]

Very good explanation. Thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for watching! 🙏🏽😊

[@everoldbharath5777]

Very good tutorial.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you!! 🙏🏽😊

[@sohailinayat5336]

Excellent job

[@michelnahed552]

Thanks for your help. this tutorial was very helpful.

[@_Lazare]

Hi Must say you teach well !!! Question for a recap on a project of mine before I start ! Older home , and I need an outlet plug and the closes power source is a light switch running a light , reason why I'm asking is this house is finished and yes I'm thinking I need to run an attic wire to new plug and my question is how to connect to existing light switch to perform this

[@jjcampos8604]

Great tutorial, best explanation.

[@MrMountaincycle]

awesome video footage and great explanation. - thx for sharing

[@arth.4196]

Very interesting neutral wire connectors for a DIY'er👍

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽😊

[@davidxu560]

In your video , the 2 traveler wires are on different sides compared to traveler wires on both 3 way switches. They don’t need to be on the same sides?

[@scundoorsup5342]

Excellent video !!

[@edgardoenamorado4293]

lo mejor explicado te agradesco mucho pues ademas de ser tecnico en electricidad tambien hablas un ingles buenisimo pues lo entendi muy bien ,gracias

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Great job, as usual.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank You so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@alfredopantaleon8154]

nice work very clear

[@giuseppepandolfo4815]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@bro90_now]

Does the light have to be at the end? Could you have placed it leading off the middle j box?

[@timmcwilliams2891]

Does it matter if the red and black travelers have to be wired to T1 for red and T2 for black on the 3 way switches and the opposite in the 4 way switch?

[@kaishun86]

Can I connect black on travler terminal #1 and red on travler terminal #2 in 3-way switch? (the pair on top side, not the single source on bottom side) Because light is on when I off all 3 switches, i want to light off when I off all 3 switches.

[@davidhummel8707]

Yes. It would just invert the function of the 4-way. You have to imagine the inner workings and see what is being connected to,what when you flip,which switch which way.

[@sdwaltersumajit2138]

Informative. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Forged_Garage]

Simply the best!!!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thanks bro! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽

[@alexbarrios8313]

very well explained

[@redpilllense7125]

One question; on the four-way switch, you connected the red on the opposite side from the first three way. I noticed you then connected the red and black on the second three-way switch to "match the wiring" from the first three-way. I'm confused as to way you didn't use the say wiring orientation of the red/black wires on the four-way? In other words, why did you not connect the wires the same all across? I hope I explained myself right here 🤔

[@therens6513]

Nice 👍🏻

[@atrian_op4482]

does it matter what traveler goes on what terminal?

[@pablogonzales3704]

Nice muy bien compa 👍🏼

[@1cesaraguilera]

Thank you well explaining

[@tylertacy6991]

Thank you!

[@TedBrandt-y6k]

Good class, but I have on issue the power comes in to the 4way switch . Had to replace it wired it up the way I found it but now the bottom hallway 3way switch does not work right, if the 4way switch is down the bottom switch will work fine if don't turn the light off on the 4way the bottom will not work anymore// any suggestions all because the power goes to the 4way switch first

[@autopilotmuzik]

My house has it installed without a 14/3 wire. Is it possible to do it with 14/2 wires? Or is the traveler needed

[@lukasvilla2657]

There is an input and output on 4 way switch correct? Is it the black or brass?

[@Kippy7810]

Why didn’t you leave red on left side goin into the 4 switch for consistency?

[@juanlandi8142]

Hello may l connect lights with 4 way ,this is for living room, dining room and kitchen please let me know thanks.

[@macktheknife1432]

Seeking some advice. I have a set of outdoor lights that can be control at 4 locations in my home. I believe it is a 3-4-4-3 circuit. One day I noticed the lights on and when I attempted to turn off, they would not respond at any location. They will turn off if I stop the switch at what would be the half way point of the toggle switch. I " assume " one of the 4 switches has gone bad. Looking for a method to discover which one of the switches is bad. If you would consider this as the likely problem. Thanks for your feedback.

[@davidhummel8707]

Just check each switch. The 4-ways should have power in the bottom and out the top on each side. Try the switch in both positions and check the outbound screw to the neutral. Make sure you have a solid voltage read in both positions. Which ever switch doesn’t send power out is the guilty party

[@brianentz2631]

Can the black and red wires on the 4 way switch go on either side

[@randallcline2052]

Hi, at my last 3-way switch I want to control a light AND ceiling fan on a separate normal two-way switch (instead of just a light as in your video). Do I just need a 3-wire (e.g., 14-3) going to fixture/fan kit or will that work from an ending 3-way switch? Thanks.

[@anthonymaye4306]

What if I have multiple light fixtures in one family room or great room around 4 walls in same room...

[@ak540i2]

Can you have lights wired in between the switches?

[@davidroddini1512]

That is what I want to know! I have two three way switches at the bottom and top of a flight of stairs. I would like to add a switch by the upstairs bedroom door. But that would put that switch after the light. I am thinking about putting the four way at the top of the stairs between the light and the downstairs three way. But that still puts the upstairs three way after the light. I am not sure how it would work. 🤔

[@angelagrant1804]

thanks for the video, do you Wire A 3-Way Switch System?

[@whadat2000]

Hi, I noticed that you connected the red traveller on the left and black traveller on the right on the 3 way switches but switch them around on the 4 way switch. Would there be a problem if they all were connected the same...red on the left and black on the right?

[@bennyma6751]

No problem

[@badboytommy187]

That is very good video footage and good explanation 👍. But I have a question about the middle of the J boxfour way switch ? What will happen I crisscrossed the black and red wire on the traveler switch ? 🤔 by the way I just want you to know your video footage helps me a lot on my house . Thank you very much

[@MyNamesGeof]

As long as the wires from the same sleeve are on the same side it shouldn’t matter

[@alanhanstein5472]

Do you have a video on doing with with only 14/2 wire

[@Leeproeun]

Thanks 🙏

[@FixThisHouse]

You are very welcome! 🙏🏽😊

[@matthewbui86]

hello there. I would like to know on the 4 ways switch. Red should be on the right side which is travel 1 and black should be on the left side which is travel 2. and also the power from the 1 switch goes to the bottom of 4 ways switch and power goes out to the 3 switch goes out from the top of 4 ways switch? From what i have seen you did. left on the right and black on the left on the 4 ways switch? Just wonder thanks

[@surferdude642]

Don't think of left or right side, some 4-ways (decora style) have black screws on one side and brass colored on the other side. For example, on the cable coming from the previous switch the red and black wires will go to the black screws. The cable going to the next switch the red and black wires go to the brass colored screws. The red and black wires are the travelers.

[@mohamedunisasankoh4383]

nice explanation

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@georgemoore6631]

can you put a dimmer switch on it instead of the flip switch ?

[@MyNamesGeof]

What is used to connect the neutrals and ground??

[@davidhuynh2202]

Can you make the video for 5 to 7 ways switch

[@superpac1966]

Great video. I have a four way switch in my home, one of the locations is hidden, and never used. If I wanted to bypass it, and make it a three way switch, would I connect red to red, black to black, white to white, and ground to ground? Or would I connect red to black and black to red? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@davidhummel8707]

Just remove the switch and connect all the same colored wires to each other like the switch wasn’t there. Just make sure that the travelers are connected from each three way correctly

[@volmyrjean-baptiste682]

Thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏽😊

[@davidsmith-vo4ce]

Added new wiring and outlets to old wiring. test of new outlets show open ground.

[@alnarc7756]

Hi, can I connect power outlet to that 4 way switch box? If yes, you please share the wiring diagram?

[@davidhummel8707]

It all depend on how you want that outlet to function. It’s easy enough to connect the ground and neutral to an outlet. But how/when do you want he power to get to the outlet. If you use the red or black on the bottom of the 4-way it will only work when the left switch is in the position to power which ever color wire you used for the hot. If you connect the outlet to the outgoing wires on the top of the 4 way then the 4 way will power the switch. But then it depends on which hot you chose. The left most switch has to be providing power to the traveler you picked: up for black and down for red.

[@raypowers3145]

How do I connect 2 lights with 4 switches ? There for my up stairs and down stairs lights .

[@tonykillingsworth9247]

Just for clarification you can have up to 32........ 4 way switches on a dedicated circuit from 20 Amp Breaker with 12 GA. Wire !

[@jamilasarly1614]

How you do 5 way switch ?

[@reiresvivir9629]

Can someone explain when the power goes into 4way box

[@ernesthorning4770]

I still don’t understand why people insist on using toggle switches for 3-Way, 4-Way, etc. They’re always in an indeterminate position and all you want to do is invert the current state, whether on or off. A more appropriate switch would be a push button that internally just changes its current state. It would still be electrically wired the same as a 3-Way configuration but it external activation would always be the same. For people that still expect to see a toggle switch, a simple On-Off-On momentary like function could be simulated on a push button switch. That way, you’d always flip up for on and down for off and the internal mechanics would do what the need to do. I’m surprised that this wasn’t a standard convention years ago.

[@krich106]

Because its not needed. Then buttons fail, thats why no breakers have them anymore. I'd rather do motion, voice, or magnet type switch. If we're talking the way it should be. You should just have light and not have to hit a switch.

[@davidhummel8707]

So invent and market it.

[@Charles-nk3ep]

I have 3 recessed can lights in my hallway and I have 3 switches that operate it but I have one 3 way and 2 4four way switches why is that ?

[@jeremythomas12]

4:37 “Clean Tool” 😅

[@craigaustin4362]

When you pronounce Klein tools don’t use an E sound use a i sound hope this is helpful

[@TruthLives4444]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@bryanmacdonald7060]

❤

[@HectorMiguelHernandez]

🤯🤯🤯

[@peyo721]

Like that

[@johnschnee3934]

We are Saved by Grace Through FAITH NOT WORKS. Salvation is a free gift from GOD given to those all who will believe LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED AS A SALVATION LAMB for our sins by the BLOOD OF LORD JESUS CHRIST HIS BLOOD CLEANSES Our Sins (WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT)777+ (shed HIS BLOOD on the cross) for us

[@davidhummel8707]

Really? I believe in evangelism as much as the next guy. But do you really think anybody read that and was moved? You’re like those people on the subway that shout Bible verses to a captive audience. You make the rest of us look bad. God has already chosen the elect. There’s no need to recruit.

[@robertlawson8572]

Difficult to see why this is called "four way" In the UK we call this two way + intermediate. We used to have "one way" switches, with two terminals, and "two way" switches with three terminals, then the manufacturers gave up on "one way" switches, since a "two way" switch can be used as a "one way" switch, so stockholding and manufacturing were rationalised. We've always had "intermediate" switches (four terminal) for switching hallway lighting at convenient points along a corridor... (or at any level on a multi floor stairway. Now... If we have a switch plate with four switches on it, it's called a four gang switch, and "gang" is German for "way" making a four switch plate a "four way" switch... Amazing that we share a language, use it differently, confusingly... We have "two (or more) gang, two way switching", too...

[@davidhummel8707]

It’s called a three way switch because when you combine two of them you have three way to position them: up/up, down/down, up/down. The “four way” is just the nest logical step. Plus the three way switches have three wire connections: power in/out and two travelers. The 4-way switch has 4 wires on it. It’s connected 4-ways.

[@robertlawson8572]

@@davidhummel8707 @davidhummel8707 6 days ago "It’s called a three way switch because when you combine two of them you have three way to position them: up/up, down/down, up/down. " So that's the logic? If you'll excuse me, with a two way switching arrangement, there are four (4) 2^2 switching conditions... Let's label the switches "a" and "b", the positionings "up" and "down" So- a up, b up, a up, b down, a down, b down, a down, b up. and similarly, with "two way + intermediates, there is a range of 2^n conditions, where "n" is the total number of switches... Basic binary? I can accept that there's different terminology used either side of the Atlantic, just think there's a flaw in your explanation of the underlying logic...

[@stephenmulvihill1328]

It’s KLEIN not KLEEN lol

[@albarrera2757]

Why do all you diy’ers always work with such short wires.

[@mixofall2574]

Why you all copy in pase, same matheds,

[@singlefather01]

I went to a total of 7 years for college to study EE. I have no idea what this guy is talking about.

[@CleetusJackson123]

Draw a picture Mr engineer and you will understand. It’s not rocket science. The only thing the engineer needs to know is the load from the breaker. It’s not rocket science