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Bmug · Nov 7, 2006, 05:21 PM

One of the pair of switches in my kitchen is givening me a problem so I though I'd trade it out. There are two switches, one light. Should be a three way switch (house built in 1980) but there are 4 wires going to the switch. I've got both a 3 way and a 4 way switch but can't figure out how to use either.

Let me try to describe how the old switch works - I'll call the connectors A, B, C and D with the ground above A on the top of the switch. Looks like this

G

A B

C D

With the old switch down I get a connecting between A,C and D. With it up A, B and D

New switches 3 Way (there is no A connector)

Down B D
Up B C

New 4 way

Down A D and B C

Up A C and B D

Can anyone point me in the right direction - either how to connect my new switches or where to buy a switch wired the same as the old.

Thanks

Brad

tkrussell · Nov 7, 2006, 05:36 PM

See if this helps:

Bmug · Nov 8, 2006, 11:19 PM

Thank you for your response - I know how the three way switch is suppose to opperate and how a 4 way operates - my problem is I have something that doesn't match either - it appears to be a 3 way (there are only two switches and one light in the circuit) but it has 4 wires (plus ground). The old switch had three screw in terminals (plus ground) but had 4 push in terminals. In my ABCD setup that would have been the "A" connection. With A or D being switches between B and C. I don't know what to do with the wire in A? I do know that when I hooked A and B together the light in the living room went on and off but the one in the kitchen stayed off - so I believe A or B is the hot line going to the living room.

Thanks,

Brad

tkrussell · Nov 9, 2006, 03:10 AM

Can you provide a part number for the switch? I am not familiar with a 3 way switch that has four terminals. I did get that from your original question and your diagram but figured I had to start someplace.

Unless the fourth terminal is just another port common to another terminal.

More info on that switch will be helpful.

tkrussell · Nov 10, 2006, 12:12 PM

By re-re-re-reading this, I believe the wires on the existing 3 way at A & B are hots that are connected together inside the switch, one wire is hot feed and the other is hot once connected to the other so as to feed through to the remaining circuit.

Since you only have two switches controlling the light, both only need to be 3 way switches, a 4 way is not needed.

So, if I am right, the two wires in A & B only need to be connected together onto the Common of the new 3 way switch.

Before connecting to the new switch, and to test my theory, take these two wires, if you separate them, does the remaining circuit go dead? And if you splice them, does the remaining circuit come on?

I think that A & B are jumped inside to give two quik-wire ports, or terminals for hot wires to plug into the switch, and that C & D are the 3 way travelers to the next switch.

You don't mention the other switch, is there only three wires connected to that other switch?

tkrussell · Nov 10, 2006, 03:42 PM

Just thought of something else that might be the answer. Are these switches the kind that have a builtin pilot light or a lighted handle? If so the fourth wire would be a neutral for the light inside.

Any luck on a make and model # of the switch?

Bmug · Nov 14, 2006, 04:59 PM

Sorry about the delay - I haven't been able to get my email or get connect here. I will pull the old switch back out and see if I can find some numbers/identification on it. I'll get try what you suggest and get back - it may be a few days as I'm more than a little behind on stuff around the house.

Brad