3-Way / 4-Way Switch Question

October 11, 2017, 11:18 AM

Need some assistance from the braintrust...

I recently replaced a couple light switches. I thought they were 3-way, which means two switch control a set of lights, right? It seemed to be working fine but now all the sudden it doesn't and another set of switches doesn't work which I didn't touch. I now think it may have been a 4-way switch, which is 3 separate switches controlling a set of lights, right? If I messed up and and replaced a 4-way with a 3-way, could that cause this behavior?

It's frustrating because I completely tested it before I finished up. But now the lights just don't come on. Of course I did check the breaker as well.

Thanks!

October 11, 2017, 11:28 AM

45_Auto

If only 2 switches control one light, then two 3 way switches are used.

If 3 switches control one light, the circuit requires two 3 way switches and one 4 way.

http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/3wayswitch.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_0onKhaZrY

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October 11, 2017, 01:01 PM

petr

Did you wrap the wires around the screws or use the stab ins? Use the screws always.

Did your white (nuetral) come loose?

October 11, 2017, 01:54 PM

Skins2881

quote:
Originally posted by matai:
Need some assistance from the braintrust...

I recently replaced a couple light switches. I thought they were 3-way, which means two switch control a set of lights, right? It seemed to be working fine but now all the sudden it doesn't and another set of switches doesn't work which I didn't touch. I now think it may have been a 4-way switch, which is 3 separate switches controlling a set of lights, right? If I messed up and and replaced a 4-way with a 3-way, could that cause this behavior?

It's frustrating because I completely tested it before I finished up. But now the lights just don't come on. Of course I did check the breaker as well.

Thanks!

Most likely you messed up a feed through in the switch box.

If you took before pictures, post them along with pictures of after pictures of the wiring and I can tell you how to fix.