Inspect the quality of the wires. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached.
How Do I Wire This 4 Way Light Switch Home Improvement
How to change a light switch with 4 wires. 4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations. If you get a light or a non zero meter reading the circuit is live. Turn off the power to the switch at the circuit panel or fuse box. 4 way switch wiring. The main wire that will go from one switch to the other should have 4 wires total black white ground and red. How to replace a four way light switch.
After you do this remove the switch cover plate and test the wires with a voltage tester for safety. Now that the light switch is completely removed well need to prepare for the installation of the combo switch. Two or three wires will be attached to the switch. Youll need access to the white neutral wires. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. A return wire which carries the load to the fixture and may be black red or any other color except green.
Turn on the switch then place one lead of the tester on either of the black wires connected to the switch and the other lead on the green ground screw. Fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. Unscrew and remove the switch plate. Normally when you replace a light switch you would leave the neutral wires alone but in this case well be connecting them to the new combo switch. Most 4 way switch wiring is placed between the wiring of two 3 way switches. An incoming hot wire which is black.
To replace this kind of switch follow these steps. Identify the three different colored wires and attach the new light switch to the wires in the same way they had been attached to the old switch. Flipping the switchs lever opens and closes the hot wire circuit leading to the light fixture allowing you to turn it on and off at will. The black wire is going to be connected to the black screw on the switch. Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. Unscrew and remove the switch plate.
If any of the wires seem weakened trim and re strip the end of the wire to meet your needs. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the. Light switches operate by providing an operational break in the hot circuit wire leading to a light fixture or other device. Review the diagram below for basic three way wiring instructions. When more than three switches are needed you may simply place more 4 way switches between the three way switches. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead.
Gallery of How To Change A Light Switch With 4 Wires
