How to wire a 4 way switch

[@jrmendez83]

A million thanks Mr. T., after watching 2 or 3 videos of yours, I can now get my electric work done on the house I plan on buying in the near future. I, believe it or not, became a residential electrician in 30 minutes thanks to you. Keep it going.

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@jimmoncrieff]

Wow, what a great help to have the screencast to show the wiring paths outside of the wall. Thanks for making such a clear and informative video!

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome Jim

[@knightandfog]

Tyrone, I'm grateful for your time. I finally understand 4 and 3 way switches. All the best to you Sir.

[@Tyrone3340]

you are very welcome

[@Fuddjcal2]

thanks Tyrone, your the only one on the internet that could solve my problems changing 20 year old switches to the new versions!!!!

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome Fudd

[@Flameboar]

Your explanation made sense. Now I understand how a 4 way + 2 x 3 way switches operate. Thank you!!

[@dougmeyer2485]

Thank you, Tyrone. I only wish that I had seen your video before trying to replace the older 4-way switch a few days ago. It's all clear to me now, and its too bad that it wasn't then! Anyhow, all is well, and your video is 18+ minutes well spent!

[@6hawkster9]

Thanks a bunch just transfered to low volt side and we don't touch much on 3 ways and 4ways yet was eager to understand how they worked, was real simple I appreciate the effort to teach and make your videos!

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks 6

[@casesusa]

....the guy is so humble, seems to be a bit uncomfortable speaking to an audience, but he should not be! ...he makes it crystal clear, and obviously knows his stuff.... I wish my high school teachers were as good, maybe I would be somebody today! Great job! ...and thank you so much!

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks Case

[@stevensegal5958]

Big dog Tyrone, thank you for posting this video. I replaced some 4 ways switches and the lights were all jacked jump. I rewired everything to your diagram and BAM everything works! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Tyrone3340]

Steven Segal You are welcome Steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

The best 4 way switch explanation I've seen yet. I've watched a few.

[@gregbonawitz3986]

Thanks! Screen-cast was just what I needed to see in order to really grasp the concept.

[@TheRealTannerThoman]

Awesome video! Your diagram and explanation was the easiest to understand that I have seen. Thanks!

[@Tyrone3340]

Tanner Thoman You are welcome Tanner

[@macmen007]

Excellent 3-way 4-way examples....both graphic and practical

[@Tyrone3340]

+macmen007 thanks 007

[@miltonhershell725]

Thank you for illustrating the current flow so clearly. I understand now.

[@dwaynes965]

Thank for taking your time out to make a video. Very clear information. Have not seen one like this in long time. Same here I love my job. and working 18hour days / weekends is no problem for me. Keep up the great work.

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome Dwayne

[@sandrarocha8607]

wow your a great teacher, I've learned so much from your all your videos.

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks Sandra glad that I could help

[@thomascmurphy5128]

Thank You Sir ! Nicely done. Clear and concise. Easy to understand. I certainly appreciate your time and effort Hamburg, NY

[@sanaph]

funny I've done apartment maintenance for so long and I never came across this.The switch to LR outlet in my house went bad .I took every switch out and it looked very alien to me.....then I watched this and low and behold lights went on.thank you sir for informational video .

[@Tyrone3340]

sanaph You are welcome

[@arturomejorado3858]

man this helped me so much I really like seeing it on the screen and how you explained it.very very good .. then seeing it in real life I wish everyone would take the time and show both ways. thank you very much your doing a great job! Arturo

[@Tyrone3340]

+Arturo Mejorado Thanks and you are welcome

[@daveborchard2019]

Thanks for explaining the 4-way switch in a very clear and easy to understand way. The wiring diagram is very helpful, and isn’t included with all the other videos I’ve watched about electric wiring. I’m converting my kitchen recessed incandescent flood lights to LED flood lights. I have 3 switch positions, and one of the switches has a dimmer control. I assume that the dimmer control is not compatible with LED dimmable light bulbs, since the dimmer is 15 years old. I do not know which switch is connected to the uninterrupted electric power. If the dimmer controller is connected between the two on/off switches, then I would need to buy a 4-way dimmer that’s compatible with dimmable LED light bulbs. Otherwise, if the dimmer is not in between the two on/off switches, then I would need to buy a 3-way dimmer that is compatible with dimmable LED light bulbs. Do you have videos about converting from incandescent to LED lighting, which also involves a dimmer and 4-way circuit?

[@joewamsley1375]

Thanks for making such a clear to follow video. Now I know why I couldn't figure out the 4 way switch problem on my house. A contractor wired my house incorrectly.

[@bigaphia]

Keep up the good work and attention to detail.

[@Tyrone3340]

+Nick Sims Thanks Nick I will try

[@emny23]

Have you ever considered being an instructor? I am taking an electricity course at a Tech school and you seem to be a great at explaining and demonstrating in all of your videos.

[@tobydykes1860]

Great explanations!!! You make it so simple to understand thank you.

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@spud9720]

Nice video! Thank you for all your videos-very helpful!

[@Tyrone3340]

Alex Johnson you are welcome Alex

[@colinbutler9882]

Tyrone these diagrams help me very much, i was wondering if you could make a detailed diagram explaining 3 way switches. Everyone else is very technical with their description, you explain things in such a way that I can grasp my mind around it. Thank you so much, also i have been watching your videos for a long while now...and i tried that crab recipe!!!! And wowww, i couldn't believe how much flavor it had.....we now have it in our recipe book at home!!! Thanks again!

[@Tyrone3340]

LOL hey Colin with a 3 way switch loop all that is needed is to remove the 4way, thats it

[@blaed011]

Another great video - love the diagram, you explain things so well. Nice job.

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks for the kind words Ed

[@anthonypiteo478]

I was clueless before I watched this video. Thank you!!

[@toddsheffield4271]

Thank you bud..your video really helped me understand what is going on. I had one hect of a time trying to figure it out..thank you.

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome Todd

[@AznFriedRiceDT]

Thank you so much man. you saved me so much money.

[@Leeeeman1]

Very straight forward. Thanks Tyrone!

[@gregoutdoorsman4598]

Well put together and very informative, thank you!

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@yummyfromthegroundup1576]

Thank you. Very informative! I love how you explain things.

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome Michelle

[@Tyrone3340]

I am not sure of the question but if you are asking what wire gets connected to ground then it is the bare copper wire. To the second question yes there are several ways to wire a 3way or 4way switch loop I choose what I consider to be the most widely used method here in the USA.

[@jmakc3541]

Very informative and easy to follow. Thanks for the video.

[@Tyrone3340]

+Jamie C You are welcome Jamie

[@jonathanfreinkel7579]

You have a great website!

What cable do you use when you want to connect "ground" to light? Do you have to use four-wire cable? And one more question - Why do you use only one design (I see it in American's films :)) of switches and outlets in America? There are more than five standart designs in Europe. PS.: Sorry for my English.

[@brandondill4234]

Is the 4 way switch terminals sensitive to the 3 way switch #1 (the first switch being fed power) travelers being placed on a specific set. In other words is there an in and out on the 4 way switch?

[@TheOne1198]

Appreciate the vids big bro!!

[@robertweil9441]

Ty, I have four switches, 3-ways in the 1st and last positions, and 4-ways in the 2nd and 3rd positions. At times, the switches don't all work. That is, if the 2nd 3-way toggle is UP, none of the other three turn the light on/off. I found that 2nd 3-way has TWO hot wires in the box, a red and black (a third, white, is not). Does that mean the travelers from the 1st or 2nd 4-way switch are mixed up? Why would a 3-way switch have TWO hot wires leading to it?

[@57bagre]

Hey Tyrone, I just saw your vid because I just did one similar and put it up tonight and decided to look at who else has something here like that to compare since I'm new on youtube and my vids are mostly mechanical related. We have the same last name and I chose to look at yours first, I'm not a pro electrician but have been dabbling in it for ever, I was a pro auto mechanic and welder before my lazy side got me into trucking but can't keep out of repair work, it's in my blood, my vid is shorter and simpler maybe you can look at it and tell me if you see anything wrong, I know it's safe and works but maybe not completely legal. Thanks.

[@Tyrone3340]

+Gordon Robertson Hey Gordan took a look at your vid and it looks good. The only suggestion that I would give would be to group the conductors together in the panel using tape or ty wraps.

[@57bagre]

thanks Tyrone, you must have seen the new one I put up today on the double dedicated, that box is in my shop and is always open, I know it's a mess, I would never leave a panel like that at someone else's house, the video I was referring to was on the 3 way and 4 way that I laid out on a piece of plywood. I don't have any mechanic vids to do right now so I did some electric just to keep some new ones going up. I only have 4 right now on house electric and probably won't do much more on circuits, but I might do 1 or 2 on fishing thru the walls, old work boxes and patching walls. I would appreciate if you could look at the other ones I did on electric and tell me what you think. Thanks, Gordon.

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks emny I like my job too much to do anything else. LOL

[@daikaiju20]

Tyrone how do you attach 14 gauge stranded wire to the terminals of a device (switch/receptacle) strip and twist about 1/2 inch and wrap under head of screw, or use some kind of fastner/crimp connector? there is little info about this online, thanks as always Tyrone!!!

[@Tyrone3340]

you want to use a crimp type wire connector like sta-kon

[@ctorres441]

Thanks for your video is very clear and helpful, Just question that I have is, I's installing a SENSORSWITCH CMR9, when I ordered they explain me is possible used like 3 way switch and I did without problem but I am try to install now 3 switch at the same fixture (like 4 way switch) do you think is that possible? Every sensor has 3 wires white=Neutral, Black=load and another Black =Hot., thanks

[@Tyrone3340]

not sure I understand your question, are you trying to control the light from 3 different locations?

[@Tyrone3340]

it looks like you can wire as many of the sensors in parallel as you want so if I understand you correctly the answer is yes.

[@ctorres441]

YES , the answer at your question , lights from 3 different location, I did you recommendation and the system is working great Thanks again

[@Mukeshpatel-ly1tr]

Hey buddy, Really great video, just for understanding how to wire or add two or three four way switch in circuit please describe in circuit diagram

[@dbrownchs]

Hello Tyrone, I acknowledge your skills with electric I was just wondering why is that with the 3 way switch tutorial the black wire is connected with common screw and on the 4 way tutorial the black wire is connected to one of the travelers screws and the red wire is on the common

[@Tyrone3340]

Not exactly sure what you mean when you say common? The black wire is hooked to the point screw in both the 3way and 4way switch video. you have to remember that in both boxes with the 3way you have 2 black wires one from the 3 conductor and one from the power source in one box and one going to the light in the other. The black and red in the 3 conductor I use as travelers.

[@normantaulbee4011]

i finally understand the neutral , thanks ,,

[@AJDerpatron]

it was great tutorial . Thanks a lot

[@Tyrone3340]

+Alex J Derpert You are welcome Alex

[@wes2118]

Thanks man, subscribed

[@OxnardSoCal805]

thanks . can wait to do it..

[@hawaiianf1504]

Great Video -- Thanks !!

[@Tyrone3340]

+Hawaiian F150 You are welcome

[@melisikpeter]

I have a question, is not about the switch. I have an old blender which have an metal casing .. and if i touch it i dont feel anything... but if i touch some bowl sitting next to the blender i got shocked... It was sitting on the metal table ... i know it may be shorted circuit... but why i dont feel anything when i hold blender? How does the current flow ? And why i get shocked when i touch metal bowl that is separated on the other table.. ? Oh, and the circuit breaker did not trip even it has the cool 30mA protection. Thanx for the answer

[@Tyrone3340]

The outlet supplying the blender is not grounded. If there is no ground in the outlet box you should replace it with a GFCI. That is a particularly dangerous situation and should be addressed immediately. All that being said the reason you do not get shocked when contacting the blender alone is the current has no path to ground. when you touch the blender and a source that has ground or something close to ground potential the current flows through you to the ground source (very dangerous, with a good enough ground and current taking a certain path through your body could cause death!!!) so be sure to stop using the faulty blender and replace outlet with GFCI if no ground is present in the box.

[@57bagre]

+Tyrone Robertson I have seen this happen when the outlet was wired backwards, example, hot wire on the silver screw and neutral on the gold screw, of course like you say a gfi would fix that because you can't wire it wrong and get anything out of it unless you wire it from the bottom (the taped end)

[@sameermadhani7968]

Saw this video and tried to implement two 3 ways and a 4 way switch. the wiring has been done and off the possible 8 combination of 3 on/off switch, 2 combination doesnt work. 010 and 111 combination doesnt bring the lights on. the rest of the combination works like charm. Any advise.

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome

[@donnpeterson1021]

I have a switch with several wires to it that needs to be replaced can you help?

[@mkosak00]

In DC circuits the black wire is the ground- correct? What is the white wire in AC? alternating current means no fixed + and - , but there is an actual ground (to ground) why is the white called 'neutral'? Does anyone know a good book on standards so I don't kill myself wiring my house?

[@Tyrone3340]

The white wire is called the neutral or the grounded conductor not to be confused with the grounding conductor. The neutral serves as a path for current to return to the source so it is a current carrying conductor when the circuit is under load (it is hot). Just knowing how a circuit works help when wiring a house but in order to wire it safely requires a lot more info, a lot more than I could explain in this reply. I am coming out with a residential basic electrical wiring course in the next few months that teach the things that you need to know when doing residential wiring. When the course go live I will more that likely offer it to my youtube subscribers for a discounted price.

[@georgemensah8028]

Hey Tyrone l have a question for you pls.

[@EminentPK-z1s]

excellent video

[@Tyrone3340]

Thanks Khaliyl

[@andreaschristodoulou4274]

The wiring he using its perfectly working! As for the names of switches he is wrong, the switch on midlle its call "INTERMEDIATE" because its acting between those he calls 3way which again wrong because those are call "TWO WAY" they are actually have two states.

[@sameermadhani7968]

I have 1 black, 1 red and 1 white wire for 1 of the 3 ways, 2 black and 2 red for 4 way and 2 black and 1 red for the other 3 way. I can probably send a pic if that help or can redo the whole wiring again which ever is easier.

[@Tyrone3340]

it is difficult to say without knowing exactly the way that it is wired,or all 3 switches would have to be checked assuming all wiring is correct.

[@Tyrone3340]

welcome

[@myhealthtoo]

But what if I have the lamp in between 4way and 3way how would wiring look like?

[@Tyrone3340]

+thetruth not to good

[@terryrowe8071]

How would you wire a 3 way if you have black and white on a light switch

[@Tyrone3340]

if there is a single pole switch on the black and white wire then can't

[@Tyrone3340]

you would have to run all of the wiring

[@DavidBerquist334]

hi how are you i would like to get your book i tried my tablet wont let me take care

[@Tyrone3340]

+David Berquist It should work

[@JOHNMGOTTS]

I notice you always take your first run to the furthest switch first. Is there a reason?

[@Tyrone3340]

no reason

[@JOHNMGOTTS]

Tyrone Robertson BTW, this is an excellent service you're performing. I know you take great pride in this endeavor and believe me, it is much appreciated. Hope all is well.

[@tjcaruana]

Thank you so much.

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@EddyFlexy]

Thank you so much!

[@Tyrone3340]

+Frapo Chino you are welcome

[@smiranda603]

Good video

[@Tyrone3340]

thanks sergio

[@shimzole7364]

thanks you so much,,,,perfect

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome shim

[@mkchayal]

I WANT LEARNING ABOUT ELECTRICITY BUT MY ENGLISH LOW U CAN U HELP ME EASILY MORE VOLT AND AMP

[@joe35lok]

thank you!

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@erikmartinez6377]

Saying u should never connect the white wire to the switch on one end of the 3 way 4way system is false because u can use the neutral and hot on the box that carries the switch leg and heat the neutrals through the 4 ways to ur last 3 way

[@Tyrone3340]

you need to look at the video again because that is NOT what i said.

[@divex07]

thank you

[@Tyrone3340]

a better way to explain would be a 3 conductor between so and so a 2 conductor from xyz to bla bla. this will give me an exact picture of what you are working with.

[@jaimegregorio8189]

thanks

[@hugobimelbam1665]

thanks buddy

[@muhammadafzal5865]

Good

[@jeveryayade2000]

how to connect a one switch to a 4 bulb

[@andreo]

Great video. Now I wish I would have became an electrician instead of IT. But I have been thinking of a career change. Maybe it's not to late.

[@Tyrone3340]

LOL never to late

[@FrodoOne1]

Sameer Madhani6 Commented "Saw this video and tried to implement two 3 ways and a 4 way switch. the wiring has been done and off the possible 8 combination of 3 on/off switch, 2 combination doesnt work. 010 and 111 combination doesnt bring the lights on. the rest of the combination works like charm. Any advise." However, to date he has not received a response. From his good (binary) description of the switch positions it is clear that the problem is in the wiring of the Intermediate (4 way) switch. It is difficult to explain this without a diagram so I suggest that he looks at www.electricaltechnology.org/2012/11/what-is-intermediate-switch-its.html where appropriate diagrams (Fig 1, 1a & 1b) will be found. While the 4 terminals on the rear of most Intermediate switches look as though they should be connected as shown in the diagram used in this video, this is not always so. In fact, the Intermediate switch usually does NOT connect the wiring terminals "diagonally" at any time BUT connects either "horizontally" or "vertically", as shown in these diagrams. To fix the "problem", all that is necessary is to "cross over" two (and only two) wires,as shown in these diagrams.

[@mekuannentteshager9145]

it is good

[@franciscomurillo8586]

ola me llamo francisco y tengo 15 año kiero q me digan como aser un diagrama pero el interrutor 4 via de primero

[@zachbryan4647]

Bmore bmore

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

You are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome

[@Tyrone3340]

you are welcome