Klein Tools RT250 GFCI Outlet Tester that tests voltage too!: Amazon: amzn.to/3IZrHox Playlist: Electrical Wiring by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUITARtRyFqvVhmqwNm34Ck5k.html Playlist: EMT Bending by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUIT9C0yzPTkqULBCmJXX_goh.html Playlist: 2023 NEC Video Playlist by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUISg0qOUMomYe8GH6a_C2xBv.html
The electrician was telling me that he needed to do rewiring and it would cost me $800. I saw the video change the switches myself and it all worked out perfectly. Thank you so much. God bless you.
Tried to replace my old 4 way switch because it didn't work , thinking because was old ... it didn't work when I bought a house, so I get used to it. Run the wires like it was on old one - new switch didn't make a difference. Spent a few hours yesterday in frustration and gave up. Today I find this video, exactly configuration I have, ignored what I've written from old switch and followed your video. IT WORKS now. All three switches control the lights, I can turn them on and off from all three! Damn, I can't thank you enough, man. You, sir made my day!
I've watched several 4 way connection videos. This is BY FAR the best. By the way, I'm an electrical engineer who has NEVER professed to have the knowledge and skills of an electrician.
You are the best electrician on the internet, very useful video, I had a friend who couldn't figure this out a while back and he had to call a electrian, I just sent him this video and now he knows what he need to do if should ever have to a 4-way switch setup in the future.
@@SparkyChannelyou're welcome Sparky, he was installing a 4-way setup in his house, he has three switches one on each entrance to his kitchen, too bad your video wasn't up earlier, he could have saved a lot of money, but the plus is he got a electrician and had it all done correctly.
A picture - or video in this case is worth a thousand words. Going from a toggle 4 way switch to the Decora 4 way switch, I discovered via this video the wiring pattern is different ( toggle has 2 black on one side of the switch and the 2 red on the other.). It drove me nuts. Thanks.
Thank you so much sparky i am a 19 year old apprentice and a pretty quick learner but there are somethings that i need to visualize exactly like this ! You make it very easy to learn you have saved me so much headache and given me opportunity! Thank you for your videos
Running these switch sets is sometimes a mind bender. I would say at least 10% of the 4 way setups I've run into are WRONG. Actually, HALF of the apartments I've rented! (it's fixed when I leave..your welcome). A typical symptom of incorrect wiring...you turn the light off at switch B and the light won't turn on again at switch A or C until you get switch B on again. This kind of defeats the purpose. There are many situations you will find where Three 3-way switches have been used and that will NEVER work correctly. I find it a true nuisance. But when it's right and all the switches work as shown in the video, it's nirvana!
You saved my life Sparky! I was having trouble with a previously installed 4 way switch and after much frustration I ran across your video here, and you set me on the right path. I had to scrap everything and start from scratch. Your simple straightforward personality, along with your expertise, came through effectively. Great job! And thanks!
Thank you Bill for a very informative video. Your recommendation is right on mark to keep a standard installation pattern for the traveler wires. As a non-professional DIYer, whenever I need a "how to" or refresher instructional video I always refer to your TH-cam channel. I like the way you seem to keep up with the latest tools and methods for electrical work. I have purchased many Klein tools and other products through the links that you provide.
@@SparkyChannel Hi Sparky. Do you have information on how to wire a four way switch with the power source coming into the 4way box first then the four way branches out to the other two 3way switches. The light power would also come from the 4way switch box. I can find any information except for this following link. What I have is at the top of the stairs I'll use a four way switch and then down the hall a 3way switch and then up another flight of stairs to another 3way switch. The power that I have starts at the 4way switch box which is in the middle of the 3way switches and I also need the 3way at the top of the other set of stairs to be a dimmer switch. If you can direct me to a source where I can find correct information on this set up or is this link here accurate? diy.stackexchange.com/questions/85204/can-i-bring-power-to-the-4-way-switch
Watched several videos. This is by far the best one. My install worked perfectly using these instructions. Be careful with the 4 way switch. In this video, his IN is on the same side. On my switch from Lowe's, the IN plugs were both at the top opposite each other. The OUT both at the bottom.
Nice demonstration buddy , for even someone that hasn’t faced this in their own home or first timers , vastly straight forward compared to others trying to show off their knowledge! Nicely done
I did... twice in my life. In both homes there were 2 switches (one at the each end of the hallway. I mean there weren't 3 switches but it was very similar.
This is by far the best one yet. Thank you Sparky. I actually screwed up my 3 switch setup when switching over to Rockers. Something changed in 24 years and when I simply matched wire for wire, the 4-way caused issues.
Thank you very much sir! I connected everything together when I installed my Lutron Casseta switches and remotes. Now I’m selling the house, removed the Cassetas and now how to install the three and four way switches??? Hehehe you not just saved me but showed me in a very visual way the basics of it! You saved the day, I’m subscribing the channel. Thanks for sharing knowledge, I do this in my area, IT, also!
You did it again Sparky !!! Irrespective of my decades of experience with these circuits refreshers are never wasted for novice or expert . As I said in my comment about the 3 way tutorial being the best refresher I have ever seen , so is the case for this 4 way tutorial . you are the man...so many do it yourselfers and aspiring electricians will benefit from your tutorials.
Taking a residential wiring class at a local community college and your video is spot on with the best practices theology taught in school. Glad I subscribed to your videos. Thank you.
I never got why people use 12awg in residential applications. Unless obviously you have a big load. Save some money and just use 14awg for lighting and some outlets (per code of course)
I don't mind spending a little more and getting greater capacity. Then if someone adds on to the circuit later on the circuit should be able to handle some extra load.
I would like to thank you for your indepth wiring of a 4-wy switch ! I replaced the old toggle switches with the paddle switchs(took pictures and drew a diagram) and still didn't work properly ! With the way you explained and showed how to do it made it alot easier ! I had the load wire going to wrong terminal !! Thank you
Man , my guys mess up the 2 switches that control 4ways on a home and I couldn't figure it out but this video made it so easy now, I'm a new subscriber for sure ,
I've watched so many videos and looked at so many diagrams and it made everything so confusing but watching you do this really simplifies it. Thank you
So grateful that you made this tutorial video explaining so well how to wire A 4 way system switches. You make it look so easy . The key doing an already wired job..either to replace the switches or adding dimmers .. it is to open up completely the Wires and read what is the incoming hot wire and wich ones are the travelers. And finally at the end identified the 12- 2 wire to the lights. Thanks a lot . It really helps people like me that enjoy doing electrical work.
Very clear and easy to grasp, thank you. Relay-switched lamps is the new kid-on-the-block in Switzerland and Germany. Only 230V AC power to the lamp, 12 V DC two-wire cable to the switches from the sub-panel with a relay that switches the power to the lamp(s). 2 or any amount of extra switches makes no difference in the wiring, very simple to expand. And less EMF's in the house as a bonus.
Sparky: thought this wiring setup would make a great lesson in box fill calculations since there is soooo many wires. :) Lets keep everyone safe! Great video. I learned 3 and 4 way switching from a handbook I got from Sears decades ago; plus I drew up some of my own diagrams before I started wiring my new garage. Really like your red= top, black= bottom style. I wired my barn myself from the sub panel to all 800' of wire to lights controlled by 9 switches. The inspector asked who wired it. I said, I did and then he complemented me on a great job. When you walk in the two front side rolling doors you cannot see any of the wiring except conduit to hay loft. and conduit coming down to receptacles at end of barn. All wiring travels through barn at 10 1/2' so horses could not access. Also rewired two other houses I lived in plus a remodel on the one we live in now. Learned basic electrical wiring from my dad starting at about 8 years old.
Thank you, moved in to an existing house with all the switches all mixed up, some did not work correctly. This video explained it perfectly and by following it, I got them all straightened out. Terrific video and once again thank you.
EXTREMELY Helpful! While I am a low voltage guy and would NEVER touch electrical stuff at a customers home I do like to understand things and do it in my own home. Im putting in smart switches now where I have one switch that carries the load and the others simply need neutral, ground and power to speak zigbee back to the main switch. Hopefully I understand this enough now to use the one traveler Ill need and cap the other one off.
I'm from UK, Wales and now I know how to wire, three way, four way switching in the USA. I a handy man in the UK. So now I can be useful in the USA. In the UK the traveler wires in-between the three way switches connecting the intermediate switch is known as strappers in the UK. 😳
I learned so much from 20 minutes of you tube video than I ever could from 6 months of electrical engineering classes lol. Thanks pop and you'll the greatest!👈👍😂
Love your patience/detail and voice.....BIll you remind me of my first electronics teacher in high school.....he was an amazing teacher....loved what he did. Thank you for sharing and caring to teach others
Great video! You're explanation of how a 4-way switch system worked helped me understand and sort out my confusion in my early 1960's addition 4-way switch system(old switches that looked very different than current ones). My problem was a bad 4-way switch. Now my three switch locations operate the ceiling light perfectly! I'm now a subscriber! Thanks again! Paul
I start trade school Monday April 5 and I’m excited and nervous at the same time, I’m only watching your vids to get an idea and also learn ahead of time, I’ll definitely will come back to this page for help in the future. Thank you.
@@SparkyChannel thank you very much, I’m going to be attending a 10 and a-half month program as an electrician at IBT located in Santa Clara California.
this clarified some questions I had regarding 3 and 4 way switches setup , thank you very much for taking your time making this video and sharing your skills with the rest of the world.
Thanks to your carefully dumbing this down, I now understand the 4-way circuit wiring. Thank you ! I had a bad 4-way Leviton switch to start........but I learned a great lesson on "traveler wires" that has been.....until your video.....obfuscating. I have watched a few other TH-cam on this but it has never clicked. Thanks to your convention of "red wire on top always......I discovered that the switches were not working because I mixed up the red and black wires on the brass screws, i.e., I had one reversed......which created a nightmare of one switch only working when another switch had to be in the ON position. Less of a mystery now. Thank you. I have just subscribed to you. Be Safe !
I have never commented on any video before, but I had to just say thanks so much for the instructional video. The three boxes with wiring and explanations for each were so helpful and easy to understand. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much! I'm going to be swapping out some switches for my son with some new paddle switches, this helps me understand where I'll need a 3 way switch and why one will be a 4 way switch! What did we ever do before TH-cam? Oh I know... we let a lot of smoke out of a lot of junction boxes!
Liked watching this as a British spark. We call the traveler wires, strappers. We call the midpoint switch an intermediate switch. Interesting the difference in names but basically the same. 👍🏼
Thank you very much for this very informative video! I got confused replacing the old switches with new ones. Older house where they used different colour wires all over the place and the switches are different than the new ones. You helped me understand how the whole 4 way thing works and get my switches working properly. Thanks again!
Just wanted to thank you for the helpful video. I had to wire up a 4-way circuit in my son's new 2-car garage (one by each overhead door and one by the back man door). Using your concept made it quite easy and it actually worked first time I tried it out! I was pleasantly surprised. haha. The switches I bought at HD did not look like the ones you had (no IN markings and the brass screws weren't situated like yours), but just hooking the wires to the correct colored screw going in and out made it simple to figure out. Thanks!
Scotty Kilmer thanks again for another great video. 🤣🤣🤣💯💯💯🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲. Sparky this is by far the best video for 3 and 4 way switch wiring. This is 3 & 4 way switch wiring for dummies.
Thanks Bill. Maybe leaving a list of materials used in a description, will help those unfamiliar with the ‘make-up’ process. Great instruction!! Thank you
Excellent demonstration! I've watched some other videos on youtube trying to explain how to wire a 4 way switch and yours is by far the best. Keep doing what you are doing.
Always wanted to know about 3 (or more) switches controlling a lighting circuit. Now I know. Watched and learned BUT when I do it, I’ll retain this knowledge forever! For now, 3-way switches are locked and loaded! A electrical shop owner told me a long time ago that ‘doing’ is knowing. Most book 📚 learned graduates 🎓 were not able to wire 3-way switches as a test to be hired. I explained how they were wired and he offered me a position as a helper to proceed to being a licensed electrical worker. I passed as I am a CDL-class A Haz-Mat driver with tankers endorsement. I’ve always thought ‘what if’. 🤔
Bill, I believe I have never configured a four-way switch...I have never been asked to. I love your "wall lab" for staging these setups. Perhaps I should be practicing these types of runs? Hmm...Good stuff! You always remind me that it does not matter how long you may have worked in any profession, that the learning never ends.
I recently replaced a 4-way system with new switches and wall plates - this system had 4 switch locations, and those 4 single switches were located across 3-gang, 2-gang, 4-gang and 2-gang boxes. I switched off the breaker and went to work - but luckily I double-checked the circuit with my non-contact voltage tester. I got a live reading, but from the adjacent switch, which was part of a different circuit! Needless to say, lesson learned...check every switch in the box you are working in!
I’m new to running jobs and I have to do a four-way switch tomorrow please help me understand it’s so much more than how another job runner tried to explain it to me thank you
Thank you for being so simple on explaining and this was easier for me than when I first figured out after probably an hour how to do a regular 3 way switch
I always love watching these videos. Someone like you who has been in the field for years I know I can trust to give very helpful information. I’m newer to the electrical field but hope to stay with it because it has always fascinated me since I was a kid. Thanks for a very helpful video and all of your videos you make!
great vid. remember to advise your viewers that if they are going to use backwire (clamp-style) connections, that after they make the connection, they have to test. Literally pull on the connection to make sure the wire dont come out. It has happened to me where i didnt tighten the clamp tight enough and connection was loose. You may want to recommend the loop connection around the screw terminals for safety. lates
with the loop connection you have to take care just the same: sure, it won't fall out, but a bad connection will still melt the switch down. You really have to crank down on 12AWG, or it will work itself loose when you push the switch into the outlet box.
Bill, I have mental satisfaction doing control wiring. Following the logic function of controls can be easily transferred to other needs. For example, I have transferred control wiring experience to repairing my Amana electric dryer. I take DPDT N/O N/C 24vac relay and make a 4 way switch. Then I take 2 SPST 24vac relays and wire a control system, as in this video. When working with DC voltage and I easily need to reverse polarity I use a four way switch. Currently I am have a mental candy working with star delta motor starter. Thanks again for this and other fine information.
I think a lot of us sparkies think alike on these issues. We like things to stay organized, logical, as simple as possible and repeatable. Good job on the Amana and the control wiring!
In europe we do almost the same wiring but we use the ground wire as a main wire since most of our switches dont use groud so your black is our phase wire your white wire is our blue wire and your ground naked wire is our yellow and green wire so instead of getting another cable with 4 wires we just use the ground wire. But its wonderful seeing and learning how other countries do wirings
Just wanted to say thank you for this extremely well made tutorial. I learned a lot and fixed my problem the first time after watching this. You da man.
This a great video. However, DO PAY attention to your switch manual (Not Mr. Sparky's fault at all') Some switch types have load/line in different sides and in different colors (reddish bronze, for example). I wish the industry would standardize this. So, pay attention more to his words than the switches in his hands. Thank you, Mr. Sparky, for posting such a high content.
Thank you! So much! I found your channel after looking for educational videos about electricity. You are great explaining everything so detailed and I’m literally absorbing every word in every video I have watched from your channel. I wish I could learn everything you know and keep it forever. Thank you for everything you have done for me without knowing it. I have been able to learn a lot and I’m already seeing the benefits of it. My god bless you every day , forever. Thank you!
Wow Bill so insightful and in depth on your video demonstration. Very pleased on overall workmanship repeating the steps. Very professional and to the point. Love your wago lever nut connects. You can wire my house anytime. After all the work is done. It’s time for a beer. Great job Bill and enjoyed your video demonstration. 👍🏻
I was told all these years in the HVAC trade that The Fluke 117 voltmeter is an HVAC meant meter as it uses microamps for flame rectification readings, I am confused as you mentioned is an electrician meter. LoL 😆 Great explanation and well ✔
Hi Francisco! I love the 117! It is called the Fluke 117 True RMS AC/DC Electrician's Multimeter with Non-Contact Voltage Detection but it has other uses as well. It isn't really a HVAC meter because it doesn't measure temp. That doesn' t mean it doesn't perform HVAC tasks like you mentioned.
Klein Tools RT250 GFCI Outlet Tester that tests voltage too!: Amazon: amzn.to/3IZrHox
Playlist: Electrical Wiring by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUITARtRyFqvVhmqwNm34Ck5k.html
Playlist: EMT Bending by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUIT9C0yzPTkqULBCmJXX_goh.html
Playlist: 2023 NEC Video Playlist by Sparky Channel: th-cam.com/play/PLSD43kAzjUISg0qOUMomYe8GH6a_C2xBv.html
@sparkychannel
The electrician was telling me that he needed to do rewiring and it would cost me $800. I saw the video change the switches myself and it all worked out perfectly. Thank you so much. God bless you.
Great job!
😂😂😂
This guy is like the Scotty Kilmer for electricians 🤔👍
Rev up your Receptacles!!! :)
I was just about to say that I thought that Scotty was moonlighting as an electrician, then I read your comment!
@@SparkyChannel aw hell yea dude lemme go get the wire stretchers and the pipe straighteners ready hahaha
@@davidoneill7554 I have a pipe straightener... Its called my wife.
Sounds just like him
Tried to replace my old 4 way switch because it didn't work , thinking because was old ... it didn't work when I bought a house, so I get used to it. Run the wires like it was on old one - new switch didn't make a difference. Spent a few hours yesterday in frustration and gave up. Today I find this video, exactly configuration I have, ignored what I've written from old switch and followed your video. IT WORKS now. All three switches control the lights, I can turn them on and off from all three! Damn, I can't thank you enough, man. You, sir made my day!
I've watched several 4 way connection videos. This is BY FAR the best. By the way, I'm an electrical engineer who has NEVER professed to have the knowledge and skills of an electrician.
Thanks so much! I have much respect for EE's
You are the best electrician on the internet, very useful video, I had a friend who couldn't figure this out a while back and he had to call a electrian, I just sent him this video and now he knows what he need to do if should ever have to a 4-way switch setup in the future.
Thanks so much Kristian! Was your friend installing a 4-way switch system or wanting to repair the system?
@@SparkyChannelyou're welcome Sparky, he was installing a 4-way setup in his house, he has three switches one on each entrance to his kitchen, too bad your video wasn't up earlier, he could have saved a lot of money, but the plus is he got a electrician and had it all done correctly.
@@kristiandawe85 I see. Yes, this video would have been perfect for him. :)
A picture - or video in this case is worth a thousand words. Going from a toggle 4 way switch to the Decora 4 way switch, I discovered via this video the wiring pattern is different ( toggle has 2 black on one side of the switch and the 2 red on the other.). It drove me nuts. Thanks.
My pleasure, thanks!
Thank you so much sparky i am a 19 year old apprentice and a pretty quick learner but there are somethings that i need to visualize exactly like this ! You make it very easy to learn you have saved me so much headache and given me opportunity! Thank you for your videos
Exactly this. Me too, I’m 25 though lol
Running these switch sets is sometimes a mind bender.
I would say at least 10% of the 4 way setups I've run into are WRONG. Actually, HALF of the apartments I've rented! (it's fixed when I leave..your welcome).
A typical symptom of incorrect wiring...you turn the light off at switch B and the light won't turn on again at switch A or C until you get switch B on again. This kind of defeats the purpose.
There are many situations you will find where Three 3-way switches have been used and that will NEVER work correctly. I find it a true nuisance.
But when it's right and all the switches work as shown in the video, it's nirvana!
You saved my life Sparky! I was having trouble with a previously installed 4 way switch and after much frustration I ran across your video here, and you set me on the right path. I had to scrap everything and start from scratch. Your simple straightforward personality, along with your expertise, came through effectively. Great job! And thanks!
I'm glad that it helped. Thanks so much!
Thank you Bill for a very informative video. Your recommendation is right on mark to keep a standard installation pattern for the traveler wires. As a non-professional DIYer, whenever I need a "how to" or refresher instructional video I always refer to your TH-cam channel. I like the way you seem to keep up with the latest tools and methods for electrical work. I have purchased many Klein tools and other products through the links that you provide.
Thanks so much David! Have a great weekend!
@@SparkyChannel Hi Sparky. Do you have information on how to wire a four way switch with the power source coming into the 4way box first then the four way branches out to the other two 3way switches. The light power would also come from the 4way switch box. I can find any information except for this following link. What I have is at the top of the stairs I'll use a four way switch and then down the hall a 3way switch and then up another flight of stairs to another 3way switch. The power that I have starts at the 4way switch box which is in the middle of the 3way switches and I also need the 3way at the top of the other set of stairs to be a dimmer switch. If you can direct me to a source where I can find correct information on this set up or is this link here accurate?
diy.stackexchange.com/questions/85204/can-i-bring-power-to-the-4-way-switch
@@stevebabiak6997 As it should be!
If Mr. Sparky hopped out a 3 gang box,
Very simple and easy to follow.
Watched several videos. This is by far the best one. My install worked perfectly using these instructions.
Be careful with the 4 way switch. In this video, his IN is on the same side. On my switch from Lowe's, the IN plugs were both at the top opposite each other. The OUT both at the bottom.
Great to hear! Also, good tip.
thank you. very clear and simple video unlike so many others who make it complicated.
Great to hear, thanks!
Thank God for you. You have simplified everything better than anyone who has discussed anything regarding electrical wiring.
My pleasure, thanks!
Bill is my favorite electrician. Love these videos!
Thanks Beo! Have a great weekend!
Nice demonstration buddy , for even someone that hasn’t faced this in their own home or first timers , vastly straight forward compared to others trying to show off their knowledge! Nicely done
Thanks Richard!
I did... twice in my life. In both homes there were 2 switches (one at the each end of the hallway. I mean there weren't 3 switches but it was very similar.
This was a fantastic explanation. Thank you very much!
This is by far the best one yet. Thank you Sparky. I actually screwed up my 3 switch setup when switching over to Rockers. Something changed in 24 years and when I simply matched wire for wire, the 4-way caused issues.
Thank you so much for your time
The best video ever I seen 🙏
Thanks so much!
Thank you very much sir! I connected everything together when I installed my Lutron Casseta switches and remotes. Now I’m selling the house, removed the Cassetas and now how to install the three and four way switches??? Hehehe you not just saved me but showed me in a very visual way the basics of it! You saved the day, I’m subscribing the channel. Thanks for sharing knowledge, I do this in my area, IT, also!
Best video on this i have seen. Thankyou sir
Thanks so much Ty! Happy Holidays!
You did it again Sparky !!! Irrespective of my decades of experience with these circuits refreshers are never wasted for novice or expert .
As I said in my comment about the 3 way tutorial being the best refresher I have ever seen , so is the case for this 4 way tutorial . you are the man...so many do it yourselfers and aspiring electricians will benefit from your tutorials.
Thanks so much!
sparky ypur videos are awesome! thanks for sharing your knowledge
My pleasure!
Taking a residential wiring class at a local community college and your video is spot on with the best practices theology taught in school. Glad I subscribed to your videos. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
i love how you teach in a clean and organized environment. makes learning the basics ez to understand.
How do you wire it if the hot wire and the light wire are un the same box?
???
I remember 20 years ago when i did mine it took 2 4-way and 2 3-way switches to do it. Its still one of my favorite parts of my house.
I never got why people use 12awg in residential applications. Unless obviously you have a big load. Save some money and just use 14awg for lighting and some outlets (per code of course)
I don't mind spending a little more and getting greater capacity. Then if someone adds on to the circuit later on the circuit should be able to handle some extra load.
I never figured out why use less than12awg in residential resptical outlet applications
I would like to thank you for your indepth wiring of a 4-wy switch ! I replaced the old toggle switches with the paddle switchs(took pictures and drew a diagram) and still didn't work properly ! With the way you explained and showed how to do it made it alot easier ! I had the load wire going to wrong terminal !! Thank you
Are you Scotty Kilmer electrician brother
Man , my guys mess up the 2 switches that control 4ways on a home and I couldn't figure it out but this video made it so easy now, I'm a new subscriber for sure ,
you sound like Scotty Kilmers' brother...
Not me. LOL!
@@SparkyChannel Do you have a video of how to wire a 4 way switch with the hot wire and the lead to the light in the same box.
I've watched so many videos and looked at so many diagrams and it made everything so confusing but watching you do this really simplifies it. Thank you
Great to hear! Thanks so much!
Your not related to Scotty Kilmer are you?
No, but Rev up your Receptacles!!! :)
So grateful that you made this tutorial video explaining so well how to wire
A 4 way system switches.
You make it look so easy . The key doing an already wired job..either to replace the switches or adding dimmers .. it is to open up completely the
Wires and read what is the incoming hot wire and wich ones are the travelers. And finally at the end identified the 12- 2 wire to the lights.
Thanks a lot . It really helps people like me that enjoy doing electrical work.
Very clear and easy to grasp, thank you. Relay-switched lamps is the new kid-on-the-block in Switzerland and Germany. Only 230V AC power to the lamp, 12 V DC two-wire cable to the switches from the sub-panel with a relay that switches the power to the lamp(s). 2 or any amount of extra switches makes no difference in the wiring, very simple to expand. And less EMF's in the house as a bonus.
Sparky: thought this wiring setup would make a great lesson in box fill calculations since there is soooo many wires. :) Lets keep everyone safe! Great video.
I learned 3 and 4 way switching from a handbook I got from Sears decades ago; plus I drew up some of my own diagrams before I started wiring my new garage. Really like your red= top, black= bottom style.
I wired my barn myself from the sub panel to all 800' of wire to lights controlled by 9 switches. The inspector asked who wired it. I said, I did and then he complemented me on a great job. When you walk in the two front side rolling doors you cannot see any of the wiring except conduit to hay loft. and conduit coming down to receptacles at end of barn. All wiring travels through barn at 10 1/2' so horses could not access.
Also rewired two other houses I lived in plus a remodel on the one we live in now. Learned basic electrical wiring from my dad starting at about 8 years old.
Thank you, moved in to an existing house with all the switches all mixed up, some did not work correctly. This video explained it perfectly and by following it, I got them all straightened out.
Terrific video and once again thank you.
EXTREMELY Helpful! While I am a low voltage guy and would NEVER touch electrical stuff at a customers home I do like to understand things and do it in my own home. Im putting in smart switches now where I have one switch that carries the load and the others simply need neutral, ground and power to speak zigbee back to the main switch. Hopefully I understand this enough now to use the one traveler Ill need and cap the other one off.
Im a union electrician IBEW LU 349 and i always enjoy your videos.
Very clear/slow paced understandable step by step instructions w/safety procedures addressed for each application. 👍🏻🇺🇸
After 5 trials and all errors. Your video was the one to finally help me out. Thanks.
That's great! Thanks!
You're Bright, Clear, Precise and Neat in your diagram! Thank you!
I'm from UK, Wales and now I know how to wire, three way, four way switching in the USA. I a handy man in the UK. So now I can be useful in the USA.
In the UK the traveler wires in-between the three way switches connecting the intermediate switch is known as strappers in the UK. 😳
Cheers from San Diego! I like "strappers", that a good name for them!
I learned so much from 20 minutes of you tube video than I ever could from 6 months of electrical engineering classes lol. Thanks pop and you'll the greatest!👈👍😂
I admiringly call you MR. SPARKY PANTS. Thank you for explaining this so clearly. I use your content almost daily to help with home repairs.
Thanks fantastic, thanks!
Love your patience/detail and voice.....BIll you remind me of my first electronics teacher in high school.....he was an amazing teacher....loved what he did. Thank you for sharing and caring to teach others
My first electronics teacher was the same way. Thanks!
Great video! You're explanation of how a 4-way switch system worked helped me understand and sort out my confusion in my early 1960's addition 4-way switch system(old switches that looked very different than current ones). My problem was a bad 4-way switch. Now my three switch locations operate the ceiling light perfectly! I'm now a subscriber!
Thanks again!
Paul
Thanks so much and welcome to Sparky Channel!
I start trade school Monday April 5 and I’m excited and nervous at the same time, I’m only watching your vids to get an idea and also learn ahead of time, I’ll definitely will come back to this page for help in the future. Thank you.
Best wishes Adam! What city?
@@SparkyChannel thank you very much, I’m going to be attending a 10 and a-half month program as an electrician at IBT located in Santa Clara California.
3, 4 (or more 4 between), 3, RED top, BLK Bottom (Easy remember) - Very helpful video - Thank you so much, Bill! 👍❤️
You got it! My pleasure, thanks!
I never understood 3/4 way switch. Thanks to sparky videos it make sense and so easy. Thanks you so much.
You are so welcome!
this clarified some questions I had regarding 3 and 4 way switches setup , thank you very much for taking your time making this video and sharing your skills with the rest of the world.
Never used wago’s, but I will likely now, never use wire nuts moving forward. Thanks for the great videos.
Sounds good, thanks Robert!
Thanks to your carefully dumbing this down, I now understand the 4-way circuit wiring. Thank you ! I had a bad 4-way Leviton switch to start........but I learned a great lesson on "traveler wires" that has been.....until your video.....obfuscating. I have watched a few other TH-cam on this but it has never clicked. Thanks to your convention of "red wire on top always......I discovered that the switches were not working because I mixed up the red and black wires on the brass screws, i.e., I had one reversed......which created a nightmare of one switch only working when another switch had to be in the ON position. Less of a mystery now. Thank you. I have just subscribed to you. Be Safe !
Welcome to Sparky Channel! Thanks so much!
I have never commented on any video before, but I had to just say thanks so much for the instructional video. The three boxes with wiring and explanations for each were so helpful and easy to understand. Keep up the great work.
You're very welcome! Thanks so much Patricia!
As a home owner , i am very impressed,, very well presented , very clear instructions,
love these tools.... thanks my friend.. have a great life,,!!!!
Thank you very much!
Thank you so much! I'm going to be swapping out some switches for my son with some new paddle switches, this helps me understand where I'll need a 3 way switch and why one will be a 4 way switch! What did we ever do before TH-cam? Oh I know... we let a lot of smoke out of a lot of junction boxes!
Great job, Bill. Hope you teach the next generation of sparkies.
That's the plan! Thanks Stephan.
Liked watching this as a British spark. We call the traveler wires, strappers.
We call the midpoint switch an intermediate switch. Interesting the difference in names but basically the same. 👍🏼
"Strappers" is a good name, I like that! Thanks, have a great day!
Thank you very much for this very informative video! I got confused replacing the old switches with new ones. Older house where they used different colour wires all over the place and the switches are different than the new ones. You helped me understand how the whole 4 way thing works and get my switches working properly. Thanks again!
Just wanted to thank you for the helpful video. I had to wire up a 4-way circuit in my son's new 2-car garage (one by each overhead door and one by the back man door). Using your concept made it quite easy and it actually worked first time I tried it out! I was pleasantly surprised. haha. The switches I bought at HD did not look like the ones you had (no IN markings and the brass screws weren't situated like yours), but just hooking the wires to the correct colored screw going in and out made it simple to figure out. Thanks!
I love this when I am doing a job I watch your videos just to have a refresher just for the confidence booster
That's great!
I finally understood how to wire 3 switches! Thank you for this very clear, simple and informative video!
My pleasure.
Scotty Kilmer thanks again for another great video. 🤣🤣🤣💯💯💯🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲. Sparky this is by far the best video for 3 and 4 way switch wiring. This is 3 & 4 way switch wiring for dummies.
Thanks!
So easy to understand Uncle Spark You’re so amazing Technican
Thanks so much!
Thanks Bill. Maybe leaving a list of materials used in a description, will help those unfamiliar with the ‘make-up’ process. Great instruction!! Thank you
Thanks Robert! Yes, I work hard on those lists.
Excellent demonstration! I've watched some other videos on youtube trying to explain how to wire a 4 way switch and yours is by far the best. Keep doing what you are doing.
Thanks so much!
Nice job!
Just always remember, on the 4 way switch, same (traveler) wires goes to same color terminal screws.
You are right! I had one traveler on the black and one brass..no no go! put the IN travelers on the black and OUT travelers on the brass..success!!
Nice explanation, removes the uncertainty from it!
Excellent!
Always wanted to know about 3 (or more) switches controlling a lighting circuit. Now I know.
Watched and learned BUT when I do it, I’ll retain this knowledge forever!
For now, 3-way switches are locked and loaded!
A electrical shop owner told me a long time ago that ‘doing’ is knowing. Most book 📚 learned graduates 🎓 were not able to wire 3-way switches as a test to be hired.
I explained how they were wired and he offered me a position as a helper to proceed to being a licensed electrical worker.
I passed as I am a CDL-class A Haz-Mat driver with tankers endorsement.
I’ve always thought ‘what if’. 🤔
You are the only one who explained this perfectly 👌👏👌 thank you 😊
My pleasure, thanks!
Bill, I believe I have never configured a four-way switch...I have never been asked to. I love your "wall lab" for staging these setups. Perhaps I should be practicing these types of runs? Hmm...Good stuff! You always remind me that it does not matter how long you may have worked in any profession, that the learning never ends.
Hi Michael! Great attitude!
I recently replaced a 4-way system with new switches and wall plates - this system had 4 switch locations, and those 4 single switches were located across 3-gang, 2-gang, 4-gang and 2-gang boxes. I switched off the breaker and went to work - but luckily I double-checked the circuit with my non-contact voltage tester. I got a live reading, but from the adjacent switch, which was part of a different circuit! Needless to say, lesson learned...check every switch in the box you are working in!
I’m new to running jobs and I have to do a four-way switch tomorrow please help me understand it’s so much more than how another job runner tried to explain it to me thank you
Thank you for being so simple on explaining and this was easier for me than when I first figured out after probably an hour how to do a regular 3 way switch
Excellent, thanks!
I’m starting my electrician apprentice journey, and I want him to be my journey man 😁
Thanks!
I always love watching these videos. Someone like you who has been in the field for years I know I can trust to give very helpful information. I’m newer to the electrical field but hope to stay with it because it has always fascinated me since I was a kid. Thanks for a very helpful video and all of your videos you make!
Thanks so much! Best wishes, it's a great trade!
great vid. remember to advise your viewers that if they are going to use backwire (clamp-style) connections, that after they make the connection, they have to test. Literally pull on the connection to make sure the wire dont come out. It has happened to me where i didnt tighten the clamp tight enough and connection was loose. You may want to recommend the loop connection around the screw terminals for safety. lates
with the loop connection you have to take care just the same: sure, it won't fall out, but a bad connection will still melt the switch down. You really have to crank down on 12AWG, or it will work itself loose when you push the switch into the outlet box.
Yes, I think the key to that is not getting any insulation under the terminal. It is a good idea to tug on the wire for a check. Have a great weekend!
@@wim0104 Hi wim0104, you make a good point. Loose wires cause fires!
Thank you so much I was having a hard time remembering how to do a 4way switch
We all need refreshers sometimes.
Bill, I have mental satisfaction doing control wiring. Following the logic function of controls can be easily transferred to other needs. For example, I have transferred control wiring experience to repairing my Amana electric dryer. I take DPDT N/O N/C 24vac relay and make a 4 way switch. Then I take 2 SPST 24vac relays and wire a control system, as in this video. When working with DC voltage and I easily need to reverse polarity I use a four way switch. Currently I am have a mental candy working with star delta motor starter. Thanks again for this and other fine information.
I think a lot of us sparkies think alike on these issues. We like things to stay organized, logical, as simple as possible and repeatable. Good job on the Amana and the control wiring!
In europe we do almost the same wiring but we use the ground wire as a main wire since most of our switches dont use groud so your black is our phase wire your white wire is our blue wire and your ground naked wire is our yellow and green wire so instead of getting another cable with 4 wires we just use the ground wire. But its wonderful seeing and learning how other countries do wirings
Interesting, thanks!
Love this one. It's straightforward and clear. Thanks much.
You're very welcome! Thanks!
They say you learn something new every day . Thank you for just that .
This is the best explanation of how to install these switches
Fantastic. Electricity made simple
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏
Glad you liked it!
I am David Garcia.
Thanks for teaching us, your video may my job so easy..
Excellent, thanks!
Just wanted to say thank you for this extremely well made tutorial. I learned a lot and fixed my problem the first time after watching this. You da man.
My pleasure, thanks so much!
This a great video. However, DO PAY attention to your switch manual (Not Mr. Sparky's fault at all') Some switch types have load/line in different sides and in different colors (reddish bronze, for example). I wish the industry would standardize this. So, pay attention more to his words than the switches in his hands.
Thank you, Mr. Sparky, for posting such a high content.
Another great video sparky! You explain it simple and to the point
Excellent video. Love how you stress uniformity throughout the circuit.
Thank you!
Thank you! So much! I found your channel after looking for educational videos about electricity. You are great explaining everything so detailed and I’m literally absorbing every word in every video I have watched from your channel. I wish I could learn everything you know and keep it forever. Thank you for everything you have done for me without knowing it. I have been able to learn a lot and I’m already seeing the benefits of it. My god bless you every day , forever. Thank you!
Fantastic! Thanks so much!
Thank you for the video, now I know how to do a four way switch. Thank you got bless you 🎉
Sparky, I'm an electrician an i like your knowledge on how you explain to the people...abt the basic principle of electrical circuit
Thanks Dwight!
Very clear, clean and easy to follow. Thanks!
Thanks!
Wow Bill so insightful and in depth on your video demonstration. Very pleased on overall workmanship repeating the steps. Very professional and to the point. Love your wago lever nut connects. You can wire my house anytime. After all the work is done. It’s time for a beer. Great job Bill and enjoyed your video demonstration. 👍🏻
Thanks so much Mark! Cheers with beers! 👍🏻
Best video on the hands on installation. This will make my craft certification so much easier. Thank you sir.
Excellent video. Thanks for the close-up details of the 4-way switch.
Glad it was helpful!
Man your a good teacher,wish i had teachers like you when i was in school, maybe i wouldnt be such a big dummy, thank you,😂
Best wishes!
Wow best video ever on explaining a 4 way switch. Thank you!
You're welcome!
I was told all these years in the HVAC trade that The Fluke 117 voltmeter is an HVAC meant meter as it uses microamps for flame rectification readings, I am confused as you mentioned is an electrician meter. LoL 😆
Great explanation and well ✔
Hi Francisco! I love the 117! It is called the Fluke 117
True RMS AC/DC Electrician's Multimeter with Non-Contact Voltage Detection but it has other uses as well. It isn't really a HVAC meter because it doesn't measure temp. That doesn'
t mean it doesn't perform HVAC tasks like you mentioned.
I can not even put a number on how much money I’ve earned just fixing a couple of miss wired three ways. Thanks to the handymen and homeowners.
Good job!
Thank you sir, you explain it better than anyone else.
Great teaching on a complicated subject! Sparkman is the best!
Thanks so much Joe!