By Dave Rongey Summary:
3 way and 4 way switches and how they are wired for home lighting applications.
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3 way and 4 way switches are often used for applications where 3 or more switches are required.
Ideal locations would be a long hallway where there are more than two bedrooms and bathrooms which are accessed from the same hallway.
Light switches for the hallway light may be conveniently located outside each door leading into the hallway. In these applications 3 way and 4 way light switches may be used.
3way and 4way Switch Wiring Diagram
Special planning must be taken when wiring 3way and 4way switches that will work together in the same area.
The 3-ware cable is installed through each light switch box location, however the 3wauy switches are installed at each end of the hallway and 4way switches are installed in all the switch locations in between the 3way switch locations.
There are several ways to wire 3way and 4way switches, but the key to wiring then is where the power enters the switching circuit , and where the wiring feeds up to the light fixtures.
Home Electrical Wiring
Wire a GFCI Outlet without a Ground Wire
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Learn more about How to Wire Outlets Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for the Homeowner, Handyman, Electrician and Building Inspector. Includes: Methods for Home Electrical Wiring Types of Light Switches and Lighting Controls How They are Wired Wiring Diagrams for Light Switches Wiring 3-Way Switches Wiring 4-Way Switches Wiring Dimmer Switches How to Make Your Own Light Fixtures ....and much more.
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Electrical Project Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level of experience, ability to work with hand tools used for wiring switches, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the lighting circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Electric Switch Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for wiring switches should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical wiring for light switches should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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