By Dave Rongey Summary:
Electrical Switches Question:
Is there a difference between a 4 way and a 4 pole switch? My hall lights have a 4 way or 4 pole at the bottom of stairs two black and two white wires in the box plus ground.
Electrical Switches Question: Is there a difference between a 4 way and a 4 pole switch?
My hall lights have a 4 way or 4 pole at the bottom of stairs two black and two white wires in the box plus ground.
I replaced the switch and now if switch is turned off up the switch at bottom of steps does not work.
What did I do wrong?
Thanks,
Leonard.
Hi Leonard - Great Electrical Repair Question!
This is a common problem which occurs when a 4-way switch is replaced with a new one. There should be two pairs of screws that are a slightly different color.
Each pair of screws are for the pairs of wires coming from the two pairs of wires found in the switch box. What commonly happens is that the pairs of wires from one cable were attached to one screw of each color.
Simply separate these pairs of cables and attach them as one cable pair to one color screws, and the other cable pair to the other color of screws and this should get the switching to work normally.
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The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
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Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring 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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