Episode 8 - How To Wire For And Install 4-way Switches
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- 00:00 Intro
00:37 Explanation of a 4-way switch
03:15 Pulling wire through the electrical boxes
06:28 Wire and staples
07:20 Labeling wires
08:09 Reading the back of the switch for description
10:05 Twisting wires together
10:45 Wire nut application
11:47 Stripping wires
14:00 Clean and neat work
15:10 Tips on marking length for proper installation
22:40 Putting in decora devices
24:00 Matching wires to screws
29:57 Tightening wires and screws
34:20 How it works
35:30 Outro
In this video I talk about how to wire for and install 4-way switches. 4-ways are very similar to 3-ways, and in fact you use 2 3-way switches in a 4-way setup.
First you have to think about the reason why you need a 4way. 4way setups are needed when you have 3 or more locations that need to be able to switch the same light or lights. Say you have a room with 3 entrances/exits. You will need to place a single gang box at each of the 3 doorways for a switch to go. In a 3way setup you only need 2 boxes because you're only trying to control a light from 2 locations.
Once you get the 3 boxes set up you need to figure out which side will be your "hot side," and which will be your "leg side." The hot side is where your incoming power will land. Your leg side is where your switch leg will go up to the light or lights you're trying to control. You want to be sure not to put both your hot and your leg in the same box. Always keep them on separate sides of the room.
From the hot side you'll run a 12/3 "traveller" (3-conductor with ground - most often a black, red, white, and bare ground) from the first switch box to the 4-way switch box in the middle. Then from that middle 4 way box you'll run another 12/3 traveller out to your leg-side box. Then if you haven't already run a hot (12/2) to your hot side box from a known location of existing power. Finally run a switch leg (12/2) from your leg side box up to the light/lights.
That's it as far as the wiring. It is a good practice to get into to label each wire that you land in a box. You won't need to do this up in the light or in any plug boxes. Only light switch boxes need to be labelled when wiring for a 3--way or 4-way system.
Next you'll need to rip out the wires and prepare them for installing the 3way and 4way devices. This video talks about properly twisting grounds together, making joints on the neutrals, and twisting your 12/3 black and red wires together to identify them as travelers. Otherwise you may get confused about which black wire goes where.
Once you have everything ripped out and prepared for the switches, it's time to install the devices. On the 3way switches (one goes on the hot side, the other goes on the leg side) you'll simply put the independent black wire on the black (common) screw. Both of the gold screws are for the 12/3 travellers. And finally the green screw is for the bare ground.
The 4-way switch goes in your middle box and each pair of 12/3's go to a specific side of the 4way device. Each 4-way switch has an "IN" and "OUT" side designated on the back of the device. Make sure that the travelers coming from the hot side go into the "IN" terminals. The travelers going out to the leg side must go in the "OUT" terminals.
Once all of the devices are installed turn on power (make sure you have a lightbulb in your light) and start flipping all of the switches you just installed. You should be able to walk through the room and flip every switch and all of them both turn on and off the lights from all 3 locations. If not, you fucked something up lol
A 4way system can have an infinite amount of switches. If you have a room that needs 8 switches (for some stupid reason), you would still be able to use this set up. If you have any questions on how to do this, please leave a comment below and I'll happily explain how this would work.
Thanks for watching! Subscribe and LIKE this video if you got value from it.
Peace out my ninjas~
#electricianclasses #electricaltraining #electriciantraining #install4wayswitch
I was an electrical inspector for over 30 years. Everything you said and did is right on and makes my all our jobs much easier. Great to work with electricians that know what they are doing and really CARE. Great job!!
I have a question for you Paul. I have a flip house with a 4 way switch upstairs at far end of hallway. No matter what if the switch is down the other switches do not work like the power is not going on thru to the 3rd switch. Is that a bad switch. Unfortunately it was rental property and the ex tenant was a drug addict who swore he was an electrician. Everything else was fixed but at a showing we realized this issue. I pulled it out and it seems to be wired correctly by the way he's wiring this stuff up.
@@jasonprater2992 did you figure out what the problem was?
@@lordperezident check the other switches the common wire is most likely not on the right spot.
@@jasonprater2992 I had one where the switch that should've been a 4-way, was replaced w a 3-way, ie, there are lots of ways for it to not work!
As a former OSHA inspector when I saw work that is clean and organized as yours, I knew that safety was not going to be a problem. Due to the fact that you also knew all the applicable rules and regulations and best practices. In over 30 years of construction safety, it was proven to me time and time again. I salute you and thank you for showing a great way to approach your work.
I really like the fact that you install extra slack before the boxes. Future electical changes can be done without having to run new wire just to move a box 6 inches up or down.
I just wanted to say I've been watching your videos for a month or two now to figure out if I want to become an electrician rather than go back to college. I can happily say I got my first helper position yesterday after I aced an aptitude test that no one at my level would normally be able to pass. I watched this video and the 3-way wiring video a half-hour before I went into the interview. The last question on that test? Draw a diagram of two three-way switches, one four-way switch, and a light bulb. They had no idea I have never actually wired one myself - they said it was the best damn diagram they had ever seen drawn on their helper aptitude test! lol Thanks for the great content man :D
Never apologize for getting off task, the extra Tid bits you give us are just as awesome!
Richard G you are so beautiful
Nice
Your kidding right
@@eddiew2325 9
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I like to label the wire above the box. In case you strip your wires and are called away, you always know what is what. You can never over label! Label everything, you’ll never regret it! Also there is like 7 different ways you can wire 3 ways, 4 ways. It can be very frustrating at first, but once you get it, your good for life! Thanks for a great video man, I always enjoy seeing it done right!
I’ve been noticing guys do that. That’s really not a bad habit to get into but the other reason I do it like this is so on trim out if a different crew comes behind me they know what everything is when they pull it out of the box. And I totally agree over labeling is way better than not labeling at all!
Your off task comments and explanations were even more helpful than the point of the video on 4-way switches. Learned so much from this.
I’m a framer by trade but moving into other areas. What I like about your videos is the repetition of your work. It’s good practice and it makes things a bit easier to follow from one video to the next. THANKS! I’ve learned alot from you in a short period of time. So much so that my apprentice work looks more professional than the guys that have been around longer. Pride in your work really shows.
Thank you my friend!
I’m taking a course of an electrician apprentice here at Hudson institute, in New Jersey at Nort Bergen location. I’m sharing your videos with all my people in the classroom, I enjoy your teaching, you are clear neat and very practical. Thank you for your help understanding everything the way you do.
I enjoy your videos very much. I am far from being an electrician so I learn something from every video that I have watched. I have done a couple of wiring jobs in my house and seeing that way you do it makes me realize I didn't do that good of a job.
Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge
Thank you! Watching the video allowed me to fix my 4 way switch issue. I pretty much took apart everything and began to deconstruct down to the core and labeled everything as you suggested.
Hey Dustin thank you so much for this video I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to record,edit and upload this video. Cheers
You're welcome lol
This was the best electrical informational video I’ve ever viewed. This helped me with a home electrical problem I was dealing with. Thank you so much.
I love how you build slack into the runs. Too many people, make them barely long enough and you run into issues long term.
These videos are great. I’m approaching the end of a 4 year apprenticeship where the focus was mostly on industrial motor controls, motors, generators and PLCs. These are helping fill in some of the holes in my knowledge, especially residential type stuff. Much appreciated.
This video changed my life! I couldn't find a solution anywhere. My old 1950's house now has beautiful reversed lighting, thanks to you! Love you man!
Dude your channel is the bees knees. I'm in college and I've been wandering about power panels and how they are set up and how they work.
Don't change from the normal. You just continue to do what you do and it is very informative and helpful! Thanks
been watching some of your videos and i got to say its nice to have someone else teaching me besides being at work or going to school. i been an apprentice for a year now and i got to say that this is so useful to learn from. Good Man!!!
Clear and concise explanation of four way switch wiring + a master class in wire termination. Bravo!
Dude that was the single most helpful and well explained video i have found! Freakin awesome! Thank you sir and well done!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to educate. Thank you for being willing to teach the rest of us what you have learned through a lot of time and sweat equity on your part.
Big thank you by giving such an awesome experience and patience to go detailed from scratch till the next and ended. Thanks again and God bless you and your family.
FANTASTIC professional tips. You're spot on with your advice and these methods will save thousands of hours (and callbacks) by the end of a career. The methodical approach to your work results in superior appearance and will pass inspection MUCH easier than a messy job. I was always the guy bosses would send to interact with inspectors for the very reasons you're displaying and commenting on. Don't give inspectors a reason to seek out problems, and over time you can develop a rapport and build professional courtesy. Eventually it'll pay off when they do catch a code failure, but allow you to address the issue and get signed off without a return inspection. Your professional work ethic and adherence to quality is what I would want on my own property. I wish all people in the trades followed your attention to detail.
Best multi switch video ever. I really like the labeling trick.
Thank you! You've removed the mystery made it simple to follow. Saved for ever and a day.
I'm an engineer and a homeowner and I have no aspirations to become an electrician. That said, your instruction is spot on, referencing code and your reasons for doing things your way. Besides, it's great to see someone who's so passionate about their work, but also wants to TEACH it! That's huge, brother! Thanks!
My instructor really just threw us into the lab with a diagram and expected us to get it right. Only took me half a semester of struggling to hit up UA-cam. You taught me all I needed to know for now! Thanks man
I feel you man. Exact same thing here. This man is a life saver!
Really great video and explanation of 3 and 4 way switches and their application. Awesome! Thanks
I've had quite a few electricians try to explain how to wire 3 way and 4 way switches where i can easily understand. You are the only electrician that broke it down in a manner that i not only can understand, but also can remember. Thank you
Have no idea how this ended up on my suggestions, but I'm hooked watching it through!! Not my profession but I can appreciate the clean work!!
All the way from Trinidad and Tobago. You're awesome man! Keep up the good work.
I appreciated the details in this video. The flags, the twists & your personality make this a winner video. Liked, subscribed & notifications enabled brother.
You're welcome :)
So far the best 4way wiring video out there. Thank you brother to take the time to do this for pros, advanced, beginners, and the “masters” too. Already subscribed. Yes!
I am an EE and also do a lot of commercial and residential electrical. Dustin does a great job of explaining the everyday practices of doing good as opposed to shabby, electrical work.
Tip for having a template with lines for drilling holes, as well is genius. I usually do plugs/vanity countertop plugs/switches, switches, and thermostats. Don't know how I hadn't thought of it before. ;)
Hey men , you’re a good electrician , I feel motivated to get to school and be an electrician like you.
Thank you for these videos sharing your pro knowledge! Even though I've worked with electricity in my RV (& occasional remote cabin) repair business for over 25 years, I pick up a good tip (or 3) from every one of these vids! 👍👍
Your attention to detail is fantastic. Thanks for the video.
good job Electrician U, I am an apprentice of electricity and I am very helpful your video
“The knot wins every time” *me, occasionally still trying to beat the knot unsuccessfully*
Great job at explaining everything! Your videos are great to watch! Everything is explained very clearly and easy to understand! Keep them videos coming! 👍👍👍
Great video. You are a true professional. Inspectors and customers definitely notice how neat and professional you present yourself.
Thanks for taking the time to video each step and small detail. It’s appreciated!
I've never seen someone so thorough. Dude is an incredible teacher.
Awesome videos!! it might be good to note that some (4 way) switches are configured differently, we had this issue in my class where we were given multiple brands (and ages) of switches and the inputs were not always the same location they might be both on the top or bottom or they might be both on one side, which resulted in some classmates circuits not turning on properly once wired, but a quick continuity test can help determine which leads connect where. Our teacher could be sneaky at times and toss a switch that was internally broken into the mix to see if we would figure out the issue. Sometimes you can do everything right and still have things not work properly. Thank you again for these very informative videos.
Helpful
It amazes me how someone could dislike a video like this...lol
I did because it's not a complete video and doesn't link to the video that adds the missing information that could easily been added here. I appears to be cut out for time, but content creators need to remember that not everyone has seen their whole library.
I wasn't able to follow because of the gap in information. I went to the description and didn't see any links. That's when I thumb down the video.
Helpful
@@AntonioCunningham browse his video library if you want to learn, go from the beginning. Sucks to dislike for that lol
@@juicebocs574 I disagree. I tried looking for the missing information in his description bar and it wasn't there. Meaning this content creators failed to do why I clicked on this video. That's justification for a dislike in my book.
I mean how else can content creators grow and become better if people don't point out issues they have with said video?
To me, if I dislike something, I have a valid reason.
@@AntonioCunningham And you still haven’t pointed out what’s missing...
I love these short classes, you are doing a great thing for the DIY guys and girls....thank you sooo much!!!
As an exsperiance electrician I found that I share your videos the most .Thanks you make my life easier . Trying to explain over the phone is hard .I just send them your videos
thanks alot brother ... really really helpful .. god bless you :)
You're my favorite electrician guy. Can you do more videos where you utilize the Ugly's or NEC 2017 book? Thanks. Greatly appreciate your time and expertise.
You are amazing. I love your straight to the point, hands on approach. This was great. I never knew what the heck a 4 way switch was used for.
I am truly so appreciative of your videos.
I realize this video is over a year old at the time I'm posting this, but for anyone watching this who does not do this for their actual job, you must understand the difference between the three methods of making your connections that he mentioned because two of them are safe and one of them is very dangerous and should never be done.
1- Hooks on a screw, if done correctly very solid and very safe.
2- Pressure plate, if done correctly it's solid and safe
3. Back stab (when you just insert the wire into the holes in the back) there is no way to know if the connection has been done properly because nothing is tightened using this method.
Its only back stabbed outlets and switches that I pull out of walls and have the wires just pop out of their connections and that happened to me countless times. Loose connections cause arcing and fires. Never back stab, either pressure plate or hook only.
From one electrician to another, you had me until you put the drywall screws in that electrical switch box. Lol. Good stuff man. Salute and keep them comming.👍🏼
Panheads or die?
I enjoyed seeing the quick pace you had , sets an expectation for me
This is one top best American electrician. ..I .I will recommend to anyone up there. To watch this video is the best ..... explained very well ...thank you it helped so much..
Dude I'm looking into becoming an apprentice, and If my trainer has half your teaching skills and knowledge, I'll be in great shape.
Great video! Can you make a video about junction boxes? And uses for them? Thanks Dustin!
Another great video! Thanks so much Dustin, You don't just make it interesting but you really make it fun and easy to understand!
Luv your content,the way you EXPLAIN it and break it down and how it works, ..and why, it s awesome...Gives me a better understanding taking on a home project... I appreciate how you keep repeating over and over about the Hot ,travelers and leg..lol..thanks ..keep up the good work..
Where were you 50 years ago when I first started out ?? lol ... Very good and informative vids for them young whipper snappers ...
You started 50 years ago and your amazed by this guy you should be the one making videos
@@elmasbuscado909 lmao my thoughts exactly. Smh
I agree with the notion of not using the pressure plates with solid wire in the connection can over time work its way loose. I do however use the pressure plates with stranded wire as the strands shape themselves more readily to the pressure plate. Just as though you're crimping the connection.
I think he confused the issue a little when he talked about the backstabbing. I don't think he meant not using the pressure plates. He meant not backstabbing the wires. The confusion was because the 4 way switch didn't have pressure plates, so he backstabbed the wires to save time. And, he was saying the backstabbing was a no-no.
As always I leave more aware of what to do and what not to do. Thank you so much for teaching me how to wire my home!
Just saved me a boatload of time in my kitchen renovation, excellent.
"I'm a little anal about things looking good" That's not being anal at all bro, it's called pride and integrity in your work! The inspector will check your work and know for a fact that the entire project was done correctly.
On a 4-way switch, the "in" and "out" are mere suggestions. As long as the travelers are paired, it can be connected either way. Otherwise it won't work properly.
HERBY1620...YES TRUE, BUT AT TIMES YOU GET INTO A HURRY, OR BE LIKE MY OLD ASS AND FORGET WHICH TRAVELER IS WHAT AFTER ROUGH IN THAT MAY SIT THERE 3 WEEKS OR SO.
Love the cleaness of your work and the quality, very professional.
you have a good attitude and helpful to give back to all of us, curious minds thank you again
I’m from Canada. We don’t have in-going and out-going on our 4-way switches. I don’t know why it would make any difference which way it is wired it’s just a switch. There is no diode.
can you do a pipe bending series? Thanks alot!
truth.
plz do, dustin.
ps. you're a legend.
Yes please! 90s are easy enough but saddles still elude me.
Great explanation, and great technique. Love the way you organize your work.
Thanks amigo for the update I’ve appreciate your time and effort 9 months of doin electrical work and learning more!! Thanks
In England we call that type of wiring an INTERMEDIATE switching circuit.
could you do a tutorial on wire size? 12-2 14-3 10's and so on. Im having a hard time remembering what size wire goes with what appliance/machine
david adame can do. There’s a lot on the matter and the equipment and the amperages you’re dealing with will determine what wire to use. It’s a muddy subject but I’ll try to clear a path for you my friend.
LoL yellow it 12 white is 14
Mr Panda yes now day yellow is 20 amp #12 and white is 15 amp. # 14 and orange #10 30 amp s . Old house white is #14 and #12 and #10 so old house you may have to read old marking if your not shore. And you may need to make wire bigger for voltage drop. I hade a weld machine I wire up for a auto body 60 amp 3 phase a number #6 is 60 amp hade long run need a bigger wire #4 copper for voltage drop so I won't hurt the appliance or wire. When I do Cumberland farms a 800 amp 3 phase service we pull 3 pull black, red, blue, white of 500 circular Mill wires. And just 1 pull of 500 cir Mill wire is just for voltage drop.
I dont quite know if you are an electrician if you are asking those questions an what you mean now a days 14 shouldn't be used on a 20 amp circuit
@@davidpetrusewicz7729 also old wire is usually asbestos so what do you mean by markings?
As a average homeowner, your videos have been super helpful. Had a 3 way that only worked if the one side way one way, you explained that, showed my how to replace the bad switch and do it right so it worked properly. And now, I'm about to do a 4 way in our bedroom, i would have gone out and bought 3 four way switches had i not watched this first.. Thank you for explaining in layman's terms for people like me.
First Goal as a Electrician:
Grow an electrician beard.
Then get drunk.
Ezra Brooks the Qq
京都アンソニー facts
Then go gay
@@CM-oy2kd lol..naw dawg⚡⚡⚡🍻🍺🍻😄
after many years, I have started labeling in the back of boxes, heavily abbreviated of course. why? because stuff I did 20 years ago is very foggy, let alone things 5 years r 5 months ago :))
5 months? I can’t even remember what I did last week.
Thank you for the video. As a apprentice, I now get the concept of a 4way switch. Didn't understand it at first. Thank you for the electrical videos. Keep'em coming
Very good video. He is very skilled. Loved the small tips like how to nest the wires into the box!
holy crap dude, If i wasted that much excess wire on that big of a loop on 12-3 i would get fired..
Lol ya it’s my garage and my wire. I did it for ease of understanding where everything was coming from. I don’t normally do this unless I’m working around countertops where the plugs may need to be raised or lowered.
yea for sure man, keep up the great videos! i'm one month away from taking my journeyman's test and i'm only 20 haha so ill be a young buck in the field. you should make a video on how to prepare for it or how you did it, or some tips for me cause i'm sweating bullets
Good for you! You come off as a huge prick! But, may be just the young BUCK in you.
Man I'm 5 days into my Aprenticeship completely green to the job ! I have learned a lot ! But your videos are a huge help and I am beginning to learn the flow of things ! I'm super excited and love the job so far ! We have a 2nd trim team so I'm literally only going as far as cutting in ! It's super easy and I'm being taught by two clean freaks ! We walked through another team's home and their work was all messy and twisted slack in alot of their work ! You have to take pride in this work or Fail everytime !
The combination of explanation and doing an actual install makes this such great content. Love this. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
very comprehensive, great pace, excellent explanation
Love the way you explain the different steps!!👍👍
Excellent work you did for the people like us whom are still in learning phase. I wish, i would spend a few weeks under your supervision and i am sure it will make my skills mastereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!
I like your attention to detail. Very professional.
Nice job. I have learned so much from watching your videos. I am doing a home renovation with my son and we are adding some 3-way and 4-way switches to our hallway and kitchen areas and this is a great refresher for me.
incredible! Every now and then youtube's recommended videos are actually worth something! A+
Thank you my friend!
Hello mister dusttin I really enjoy watching your videos they’re helpful to me besides giving me confidence to deal with electricity I’ve learned a few things I did not know before thanks for sharing your knowledge keep up the good work congratulations sir take care of yourself
That is awesome thanks. We typically use Lutron QS but we are doing renovations on older wired homes and converting. So this is great help. I am a low voltage integrator. And you have helped me out with understanding the High Voltage side of things. Thank you!
Idk if you ever read this but I watch this channel all the time and learn alot ty but I would love to see more of you actually work.. I mean you put so much more detail in what your doing that I learn more
Your Videos are so Helpful and your Explanations for Everything are Great! thanks Man.
Great explanation. Been having problem with mine all day and I knew to come to UA-cam and perfect what you explained!! Many Thanks!!!
Great video! This took the mystery out of 3 ways for me I never understood them completely until now. Thank you sir!
Hey thanks for showing this Dustin. Appreciate your work man!
Thank you very much for uploading this tutorial, it is great. I appreciate all of your tips on how to make everything look professional and neat. I would recommend with all due respect to watch foul words only, everything else was excellent.
This really helped in my Residential Electrician Course. My next lab is: Feed, Luminaire, 3way, 4way, 3way, duplex, duplex. It seemed complicated, but this video really helped. I'm a fan of how neat you are with it.
As an apprentice, this channel's videos are AWESOME!
This was awesome! We only touched on this in my intro class. You explained it in such an easy to understand way.
I am so impressed
Thank you
Dustin you make it look so simple great job.
I am learning so fast with all these details you are sharing.