The Best 4 Way Switch Explanation Ever!

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In this video we take a deep dive into the 4-way switch. You will learn when a 4-way switch is used, how it operates, and a common mistake DIYers can make when selecting a 4-way switch. The video includes detailed instructions using a whiteboard along with helpful animations that will take the mystery out of the 4-way switch. I also explain the critical differences between a 4-way switch and a double-pole switch, which can be mistaken for a 4-way switch but operates completely differently.
If you are not clear on how a 3-way switch operates, I recommend you view my "Best 3-Way Switch Explanation Ever!" video: • The Best 3 Way Switch ...
Thanks for watching! I'm Terry Peterman, the Internet Electrician, and welcome to my channel. On this channel I teach DIYers how to safely and competently work on simple electrical projects around the home. I will teach you how to do it right, do it safely, and save money by doing it yourself.
Check Out My Social Media:
Website - www.electrical-online.com/
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Опубликовано:

20 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 67

@WheeDad 3 месяца назад

3 hrs of banging my head. I had a 2 pole and not a 4 way. Much appreciated!

@Bbutler787 Год назад

Couldn’t figure out how to connect my 4 way switch until I found your video. After watching your presentation, I discovered I had purchased a 4 way double pole instead of a 4 way light switch. Thanks so much. I will head back to the store tomorrow morning and grab the proper switch. Many thanks.

@jaredprice3250 Год назад

Your explanation is very thorough.

@joesgarage149 2 года назад

Awesome video. Many thanks for explaining this in terms that are easy to understand..

@John-bl2uu Год назад

excellent explanation between a double pole and 4way- thanks...

@brentsabean5182 Год назад

...very good explanation of both the concepts and the implementation...

@michaelwilson3402 Год назад

Terry, well done videos, simple easy to understand. Thanks

@phyllissmith7003 2 года назад

i have watched a lot of videos but this is the best one i have ever seen you broke it down step by srep so easy that i could copy it down on paper thank you so much

@waynec2434 Год назад

Thank you Terry for this video!!! I spent hours putting in a 4-way configuration in our living room. Then spent more hours trying to find out why its not working. Checked my wiring & connections 3 times. Was about to give up when I came across your video. I have a stupid double pole switch instead of a proper 4 way. You're the first video that mentions that. Didn't even know there was such a thing for home electrical! Thanks again!

@theinternetelectrician Год назад

A common mistake! Thanks for watching, and for the comment!

@pedropereira8924 2 года назад

Thanks, very well explained 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@rjlinnovations1516 Год назад

Excellent video tutorials

@michaelleddy3701 2 года назад

Looking well and healthy Terry.

@cookinwithchris86 7 месяцев назад

This is the best 4 way switch explanation.....the important thing no one said was... the in and out...line behind switch.........i also learned that some 3 way switches dnt have a black screw so u have to look for where its labeled common.....n also its important for people to know...3 way switch n 4 way switch...the word common are not the same meaning.........usually when people say common it means neautral......in three way + 4 way switches common is the black screw on your switch where u connect your power coming in...and your last three way switch your common should be connected To your light source ....n of course your white neutral wiress ..

@theinternetelectrician 7 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching, and for the comment! Appreciated!

@haunthunterify 7 месяцев назад

You try to explained so much with up and down switch positions that you made it complicated. The best explanation so far I have heard on RU-vid is from Sparky Channel.

@theinternetelectrician 7 месяцев назад

Sorry. I feel shame now. 🙂

@danielstrash Год назад

Really helpful. People don’t forget 3-way on both ends

@russellhilburn6727 2 года назад

You my friend, are a great communicator.

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

Thanks so much for the compliment! I hope you left a ‘like’ and that you’ve subscribed?

@renegadehoo01 Год назад

Great explanation

@mauroaparicio1855 9 месяцев назад

great information

@marknaravas318 2 года назад

Your explanation really made this clear. All the 4 way switch really changes is that there are 2 travelers.

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

Thanks for watching! I hope that you gave it a ‘like’? And I would appreciate you subscribing if you haven’t already.

@marknaravas318 2 года назад

@@theinternetelectrician I always give likes and have been subscribed for a long time.

@prveteran 6 месяцев назад

Great job!

@tedlahm5740 2 года назад

Thank you. Long time no see you. Keep them coming.

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

I’m still here! Thanks for watching!

@darfieldzone5309 Год назад

Awesome video! One time me and my uncle discovered a problem with the 4-way switch system on the staircase at his old house. Some of the “combinations” (like switch 1 up 1 down 1 up for example) worked and others did not (if that makes any sense). We turned the power off and took the switches apart. The first and third switches were 3 ways like they were supposed to be, but the second switch was also a 3 way switch instead of a 4 way. We replaced that switch with a 4 way switch and everything worked great and all of the “combinations” worked properly.

@theinternetelectrician 6 месяцев назад

Glad you got it all sorted out! Thanks for watching!

@HangsLopsided Год назад

Great video

@greghogue4324 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for the detail difference between the double pole and the four way switch. I have spent the better part of the day troubleshooting my 4way circuit only to discover after watching your video that I have a double pole switch. I was pretty confident in my wiring but did not understand the difference between the double pole switch and the four way. Im off to exchange the double pole for the four way. Thanks!!!!

@theinternetelectrician 6 месяцев назад

Take heart! You are not alone my friend. That mistake has been repeated many times, self included! Thanks for watching!

@dwightl5863 2 месяца назад

I have been fighting this problem as well. My daughter asked it I could change the light tan colored outlets and switches to white. She had a box of switches, outlets and cover plates from Home Depot and am now convinced that they gave her double throw rather than 4 way. I've been looking for a schematic of the 4 way and double throw to see what the difference is and you aced it in spades. I'll sleep better tonight.

@Bills_Bicycle_Rides Год назад

Nice job!

@blaineleightonjr2370 2 года назад

EXCELLENT !

@jorgemontano3988 2 года назад

Very good

@tedlahm5740 2 года назад

If we are using 3 of the four way switches in OUR install. Is it still called a “ Four Way application” or something else. Wonderful information. Clear and concise.

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

It would still be called a 4-way switch “network” or something like that. Thanks for watching!

@tauahau-kautai8225 Год назад

Love it

@tonyliranzo4246 7 месяцев назад

Great video. I have a question. I have an old 4 way switch that needs to be replaced. The switch is not marked with inputs and outputs. How can I tell which are the inputs and which are the outputs?

@theinternetelectrician 7 месяцев назад

Just look at the cables that the wires are coming out of. The 'ins' and the 'outs' will be pairs within their respective cables. And no matter who gets labelled an 'ins' and who gets designated an 'outs'! Thanks for the nice comment, and thanks for watching!

@steves2443 2 года назад

I would like to see 4Ft Florescent light fixtures changed out in a drop ceiling for the newer LED Round compact can lights.

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

I have a pretty good video of that right here. Thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k3ika_cyLRo.html

@danle2884 3 дня назад

Hi Terry, to start from the beginning, how do find which 3 way switch is the number 1 and not number 3? In your demo, the 3 switches are on the same line, or circuit breaker, but in a home the 3 switches are all over. In my home, the upstairs is the 4 way switch. Downstairs, I have two 3 way switches, so can you tell me how to find which one is the first, and which is the third, the one goes to the light? Thank you so much. Without knowing that, I think there is no way to find the travelers wire in the 3 switch, I think.

@davemorris841 2 года назад

Can I have a light after the first 3 way (or in the middle of the circuit ) instead of at the end of the circuit? I Need info if that is possible and how to accomplish it. Thanks, great explanations.

@InfoOnly2U 2 года назад

No it has to be on one end with the power being on the other end. The travelers have to be in the middle of the circuit

@nopthongpreda2561 Год назад

Terry, I have a four way but the wires are different. two red on the left side, one black and one white on the right. How to I connect these to the new switch with two black screws on the left and brass screws on the right side??

@patricknelson Год назад

Brilliant, thanks! This was actually helpful for my use case, which was actually to convert my upstairs hallway lights to use Hue (for some fancy dimming from all 3 switches). But, since it has 3 separate switches (with 5 recessed lights, but all the same load circuit), I realized it was a 4 way switch. In that case, you just want to go permanently on and then use those Lutron Auroras to control the lights, but before doing *that* you gotta figure out what the heck 3 way and 4 way switches are before you can wire them from their currently switched state so they're permanently on! 😅

@123joshmallett 2 года назад

I finally understand just a bit.

@davidnoe7467 6 месяцев назад

Can I change out my 4way switch and install a motion sensor to run the lights. so they will go off and back on when I enter and leave the room??

@miamited69 Год назад

so on a 4 way one switch will always be in a different position than the other two?

@theinternetelectrician Год назад

Not necessarily. It depends on how you mount the switch in the device box. (upside down or right side up if you will). It really doesn't matter, but I did hear a story of an electrical inspector that would 'flag' an issue and call out electricians if on a 3-way network, if the switches weren't in the same position (both up, or both down for the light to be on), he would make them change it. This is not a code rule, only a preference that this particular inspector liked to use to demonstrate his authority and impose his personal preference upon the Serfs that he ruled over. (in my humble opinion) Thanks for watching Ted!

@brucef6037 2 года назад

I’m trying to diagnose my 4 way switch issue. I have a rather long hallway where 4 switches operate 3 light fixtures. #1 is front entry, 2 Garage entry, 3 kitchen, front bedrooms, then 4 is back bedroom. They only seem to work right when #3 is in the up position. Is it a bad switch? Or maybe the wrong type?

@smokedsalmon_2540 2 года назад

Probably wires crossed up

@zackvahlkamp3960 11 месяцев назад

well that fixed it got the wrong switch. thanks

@nathanthreeleaf4534 2 года назад

I wouldn't think the average person considered a switch being in the "down" position as being "on."

@theinternetelectrician Год назад

The thinks that make you say hmmmm?

@darfieldzone5309 Год назад

A 3 way switch would work as a 4 way switch but not very well.

@alvilla701 2 года назад

Is it okay if an electrician wear regular tennis shoes and clothes?

@princewilljoel9931 Год назад

Bruhh 😂😂😂real shame on me 💀

@theinternetelectrician Год назад

Well now you know better! Thanks for watching!

@abc1234567a1 2 года назад

Shame on me😢

@theinternetelectrician 2 года назад

It’s ok. But you came back to watch this one, so thanks!

@dadabranding3537 6 месяцев назад

That was interesting but should be called 4Way Vs Double Pole difference. In no way is this best in terms of showcasing wiring, pretty average.

@johnmerahi5961 4 месяца назад

Excellent jobs , I like to know about wire use for everything in sub bracket to use in mobile home &residential. How to use less price on contractor also all weather tip wire , thank you