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About Greg Hughes
Expertise
Residential Electrical including Appliances and HVAC with 28 years experience.

Experience
Started training as an electrician in 1979, worked for major companies and the government.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from Electrician's School, Carrier Training, and various specialty schools.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > Four Way Switch

Electrical Wiring in the Home - Four Way Switch

Expert: Greg Hughes - 11/7/2009

Question
I recently switched an existing four way switch to a white one and since then the whole system doesn't work. When the four way switch is off the other 2 switches don't work. If the four way switch is on then the other two switches work just fine. I know it's something with wiring I'm just wondering how to I figure out which switch is causing this and how to find out where to put the wires. Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer

4 Way switch

If it worked before you changed the switch it means you have miswired the new switch.

The new switch probably came with a wiring diagram.

With a four way switch you two sets of wires, one coming in and one going out.

The ones coming in attach to one side of the switch, and the ones leaving attach to the other side.

I have attached an image. If you wire it like this and it still does not work, simply reverse the top wire with the bottom wire on one side. If that does not work reverse the other side. If it still does not work reverse the other side again. One of those combos should work.

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About Electrical Wiring in the Home
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here