Very well put. Any dummy should have no
trouble wiring this circuit.

hi tim
a video tutorial would be much more informative than just text, come on i know you can make one thanks

Eddy,
That video is being taped on 1-6-2008 and should be uploaded within 48 hours.

Simple diagrams or a link to diagrams would enhance the informative explanation.

Ed,
Did you see my response to the comment above yours? There is also a diagram here on my website; it has been here for about 10 years or so.

Tim
I came on here looking for answers for dimmer switches in a 4-way switch scenario. Your explanations have been helpful so far.
I installed a 3-way dimmer switch on one of the 3-way switches. Should it work as a dimmer? I can still control the on/off but not the dimming. Can a dimmer be bad but the on/off power still good?
Or did I mess something up because the 3-way switches only work when the 4-way is "on".
I'm confused

Bill,
Did the instructions say if you have to install two dimming 3-way switches? Go to the FAQ on the switch manufacturer's website.

I have yet been unable to get "lighted" 3-way dimmer
switches to work. Does someone out there
know the reason for this. ??
I kinda have a hunch that it is because the
little bulb has to have a return path to
neutral when that switch is in
the "OFF" position. One of the lighted
3-way switches will light up only if the
other one is in a certain position.
The 3-way set up works as it should. Its
only the little bulbs in the "OFF" positions
seem not to function as I had wished.
Awaiting any answers.......

Roger,
I would think the manufacturers of these switches would be out of business if they made a product that didn't work. I hate to say this, but it sounds like operator error. Read the instructions again to make sure it is wired correctly.

I have a 4 way switch that was put in by someone else. He has 14/3 wire down in the basement in a junction box with the white and red wires wire nutted together to make the 4-way switch work upstairs the red wire is not used, down in the junction box but up in the 4-way he has two red wires and two white wires. So when the 4-way switch is fliped it turns the light on and off. I put in two seperate 3-way switches upstairs to try and get the 4-way switch to work I brought two seperate 14/3 wire runs into this same junction box down in the basement from the two 3-way switches I hooked up. Now comes the problem I cant get the lights to work in sequence like they should the power supply must be up in the light fixture and the 4-way switch must be feed from there. Am i missing a wire down in the junction box or is there a certain way to wire this junction box for this to work.

Tedd,
All I can tell you is that you need to read the column again. The continuous hot must feed into the first 3 way switch and then the wire to the light must leave the black screw on the last 3 way switch. Use a continuity tester to trace the travelers between the three switches.

I don't know a whole lot about electrical wiring, but I just want to change two switches in my bathroom. The fan switch has two cables going into it and the light switch has three cables into it. I don't know what kind of set up this is but it is confusing and it is not a 3 or 4 way at all. These are the only switches for these things. The switches are not the normal toggle switch. They are the clumsy big flat bent ones and one the inside of the switches the wires fit into these slots. Please help, I don't want to call an electrician for a potentially 20 minute job. Thank you for your help!

Jason,
Read all of my columns about switches and watch all of my switch videos.

Im trying to replace a 4way switch with a 4way dimmer switch, but cant find one. Do they make them and how can i get one?

should all light fixtures being controlled by the 3 switches be wired from the last switch in the connection. for example, using the same three switch configuration from the above video, if i have 6 recesseed lights all being controled by 3 light switches (two 3 way switches and one 4 way switch), the 6 cans would be powered from switch #3?

I bought a 4-way lighted switch from Menards. It was $30. I had to have the salesguy special order it for me.