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Started By
Message
OT Electricians - 4 way switch giving me fits: RESOLVED! Thanks!
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:41 pm
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:41 pm
Solution:
In short, new 4 way switch was oriented differently than old one PLUS I did not understand that the two travelers from each 3 way go together on the inputs, not across as in/out on the 4 way. Special thanks to QuietTiger for pointing me in the right direction on that...Plus I had a new and bad 3 way installed compounding the issue. Switched 3 way out and made sure both travellers from first switch were on the IN screws and the travelers from the second three way were on the out screws and bingo. All good.
ORIGINAL POST:
I am in the process of changing numerous light switches as Mrs. Farkle thinks we need updated ones. I am an ameture do it your selfer. And I know how not to get shocked and how to use a multimeter.
In the process of swapping out my 4 way switch I somehow lost continuity in one of the traveling pairs I think. Lights will switch on and off from all switches but when I switch them off at one and try to turn on at another no go. But if I leave them on and move to another switch the other switch will work. Any ideas of tips to troubleshoot? Many thanks in advance... And all I did was take an old switch off and replace with a new one. It worked before just fine.
In short, new 4 way switch was oriented differently than old one PLUS I did not understand that the two travelers from each 3 way go together on the inputs, not across as in/out on the 4 way. Special thanks to QuietTiger for pointing me in the right direction on that...Plus I had a new and bad 3 way installed compounding the issue. Switched 3 way out and made sure both travellers from first switch were on the IN screws and the travelers from the second three way were on the out screws and bingo. All good.
ORIGINAL POST:
I am in the process of changing numerous light switches as Mrs. Farkle thinks we need updated ones. I am an ameture do it your selfer. And I know how not to get shocked and how to use a multimeter.
In the process of swapping out my 4 way switch I somehow lost continuity in one of the traveling pairs I think. Lights will switch on and off from all switches but when I switch them off at one and try to turn on at another no go. But if I leave them on and move to another switch the other switch will work. Any ideas of tips to troubleshoot? Many thanks in advance... And all I did was take an old switch off and replace with a new one. It worked before just fine.
This post was edited on 1/30/17 at 8:38 pm
9
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:42 pm to Fred Farkle
Have you tried restarting your computer?
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:43 pm to Fred Farkle
quote:because it's one too many
4 way switch giving me fits
3way ffm is the way to go
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:43 pm to Fred Farkle
Master/slave
Maybe
But I don't know for sure.
Good luck.
Maybe
But I don't know for sure.
Good luck.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:46 pm to LCA131
This is the general config I think. 4 way switch set up
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:47 pm to Fred Farkle
Try this:
Locate the two pair of wires from the same jacket.
Put both of one set on the two top terminals and what's left on the other set.
If it doesn't work, do the same from top and bottom terminals of one side of the switch.
The info is usually on the inside of the switch package, meaning you have to tear open the package to find it.
Locate the two pair of wires from the same jacket.
Put both of one set on the two top terminals and what's left on the other set.
If it doesn't work, do the same from top and bottom terminals of one side of the switch.
The info is usually on the inside of the switch package, meaning you have to tear open the package to find it.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:47 pm to Fred Farkle
How many switches are there? You sure you needed a 4 way?
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:51 pm to Fred Farkle
quote:
This is the general config I think.
It's going to be two wires from the same jacket on top screws left and right or two wires for the same jacket one on each of the same side of the switch.
Good luck.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:51 pm to kengel2
Yeah.. There was a 4 in there already. See post above for diagram.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:54 pm to QuietTiger
Thanks much. I'll try that again. I feel like I have tried every combo of wire location on the switch terminals. And I know the switch is good.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 5:56 pm to Fred Farkle
The key is to locate the wires from the same jacket.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 6:30 pm to Fred Farkle
Have you already changed out the associated 3-ways? You could have swapped the common for a traveler when changing one of them out.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 6:37 pm to stuckintexas
quote:
stuckintexas
Excellent thought!
Doubt we'll hear back after the fix, usually don't bother.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 6:55 pm to stuckintexas
That's what I thought. He lost a traveler some where
Posted on 1/28/17 at 6:55 pm to Fred Farkle
I did the same recently and had problems myself. Turns out the new 4-way didn't have the same screw configuration. I went back and corrected it.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 6:57 pm to Fred Farkle
Did you locate the butfore?
Posted on 1/28/17 at 7:01 pm to Indigold
quote:
Turns out the new 4-way didn't have the same screw configuration.
They have the wiring diagram on the inside of the switch package for next time.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 7:53 pm to Fred Farkle
I've seen houses that had power running on the neutral wire for fan/light circuits
Posted on 1/28/17 at 8:49 pm to sleepytime
Thanks guys. Will redo the three way next. Although I was really careful when I did it not to switch anything. I even tested continuity on the two travelers in the 3 way switch without power. I'll take another look. Thanks for the input.
Posted on 1/28/17 at 8:56 pm to sleepytime
quote:
I've seen houses that had power running on the neutral wire for fan/light circuits
My contractor did this in my bedroom. I recently installed smart switches (which require a neutral), and this caused an issue. Got it figured out, but damn.
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