The common terminal on the 3-way at the end of the circuit connects to the black wire running to the hot terminal on the light. The black and red wires running between the boxes are connected to the travelers on each switch. The circuit neutral is spliced at each box through to the light fixture using the white wire. The electrical source is at the first 3-way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. In this basic 4-way light circuit, 3-wire cable runs between all the switches and 2-wire cable runs from the last one to the light. Wiring a 4-way Switch with Light at the End Also find 4-way switch troubleshooting tips here, and information on how these circuits work at this link. Also included are a 4-way dimmer switch diagram and an arrangement to control lights from four different locations. On this page are several diagrams that can be used to map 4-way and 3-way lighting circuits depending on the location of the source in relation to the switches and lights. For 4-way multiple light diagrams see these, for 3-way switch diagrams see these. The second drawing depicts when box 1 has three bundles of wire while box 2 has just one.The wiring diagrams on this page make use of one or more 4-way switches located between two 3-way switches to control lights from three or more points. It's the simple three-way circuit I anticipated and encountered in my home. The first is an outline of what you should see. All those switches, terminals and wires can confuse experienced electricians, let alone novice DIYers. It isn't uncommon either to have one three-way switch in the same box as two or even three others. One of your electrical boxes might have just one bundle of wires while the other is packed with three bundles. This scenario tends to happen with switches in older homes. For instance, there may not be any white wires. The wiring you see may not match what I've described. The wires here connect this local switch to the other in box 1 across the room. A second bundle (four-wire) should contain three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare). These link the switch to your light fixture. One three-wire bundle will have two colored wires (black, white) plus one of bare copper. Besides their direction of entry the wires are constructed the same way. Here, both wire bundles should enter the electrical box from its top side. They connect the switch in this box to the other switch in box 2.īox 2. The other 4-wire bundle will enter the box from the top and have three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare) one. These wires come from your home's main electrical panel (usually in the basement below) and provide power to your lighting circuit. This three-wire bundle should consist of two colored wires (black, white) plus one of bare copper. In box 1, one of the wire bundles enters the box from the bottom. It will help you deduce their origin and ultimately identify them.īox 1. If so then the direction wires enter each box is important. Let's call each box "Box 1" and "Box 2." We'll also assume that, like mine, the boxes you're working inside are on a floor above the basement. Inside each of the two electrical boxes you should see two bundles of wires. This step-by-step is reflective of a common wiring scenario and the one in my own home. I must stress that there are many possible ways a set of three-way light switches can be connected. You should now have a good view inside each box.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |