question for sparky???

[lawdog]

A light controlled by multiple switches takes a different kind of switch right? What happens if you don't have the right one? Does it matter if there are 2, 3 or 4 switches that run that light? My garage lights have four and I was going to replace a switch and want to buy the right stuff...

THANKS!

[soldoncass]

I'm not a sparky, but....it matters. 4 switches will have at least one 4-way switch, I think 2 of them. You will have to look at the switch....see how many screws/ wires are there.

[Farmboy1]

It will take a different switch. On any run of switches, the outside 2 (one with the main power in, the other with the feed directly to the light) are 3-way switches. All the other switches in the line are 4-way switches. Take out the switch that is bad, mark the wires well, bring the switch to the supply house, bring the same switch and new switch home, and replace wire for wire.

If you screw it up, it is a very hard fix. IMHO, hire an electrician or have a friend help you.

[JohnMickish]

If there are two switches, you need two 3 way switches. If there are 3 switches in the system, you need two 3 way and 1 4 way switch. If you have four switches you need two 3 way switches and two 4 way switches. See the pattern?

Now as far as having the three ways at the begining and end that is not true, you can put them anywhere in the loop.

The best advice has been given, turn the power off, take the swich loose from the wall but keep the wires hooked up. Mark the wires, take a picture or make a drawing of what goes where. If you have 3 wires (not counting a green or bare wire) you have a three way, if there are 4 wires (not counting a green or bare wire) you have a four way. Now keep in mind that some switch manufacturers have their pair of wires (called travelers) on the same side of the switch and some have them on oposite sides. Usually they are identified by different colored screws.

Silver screws are one pair and brass screws are the other pair. If you have a three way switch, you should have one brass screw and two silver screws. Just keep the wires on the same colored screws and all should be fine.

[BobT]

If there are two switches, you need two 3 way switches. If there are 3 switches in the system, you need two 3 way and 1 4 way switch. If you have four switches you need two 3 way switches and two 4 way switches. See the pattern?

Now as far as having the three ways at the begining and end that is not true, you can put them anywhere in the loop.

The best advice has been given, turn the power off, take the swich loose from the wall but keep the wires hooked up. Mark the wires, take a picture or make a drawing of what goes where. If you have 3 wires (not counting a green or bare wire) you have a three way, if there are 4 wires (not counting a green or bare wire) you have a four way. Now keep in mind that some switch manufacturers have their pair of wires (called travelers) on the same side of the switch and some have them on oposite sides. Usually they are identified by different colored screws.

Silver screws are one pair and brass screws are the other pair. If you have a three way switch, you should have one brass screw and two silver screws. Just keep the wires on the same colored screws and all should be fine.

That's about as clear a description anyone can hope for.

[JohnMickish]

[quote=BobT

That's about as clear a description anyone can hope for.