I just moved into my new (built in '74) house last month. I wanted to replace one of the switches with a dimmer. When I went to replace the switch it had 2 black and to red wires attached to 4 different screws. That tells me this is a 4-way circuit, 3 switches and 1 light. Now, I put back the old 4-way switch, and tried replacing one of the other 3-way switches with a dimmer. Now, my problem is, the 4-way is acting as an on/off for the whole circuit. The only way the other two switches work is if the 4-way is on? Is this right, or should I be able to turn the light on/off from every switch in any position? This 4-way circuit is a light at the top of my stairway, one switch at bottom of steps, one at the top of the steps, and the third at the end of hallway (top of steps). Please help, this is driving me nutts....Thanks in advance!
Mike C
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[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited April 09, 2003).]
Power is being supplied to the 4 way switch. the other 2 3 way switches just make or break the circuit depending on the position of the other 2 switches. If it was installed corectly with a 3 way dimmer switch then it should work no matter which way the other switches are set, on switch should turn off the lights while the other switch turns them on and the dimmer should turn them off, and the other switch should turn them back on. Get the point? If in doubt RTFM! There is a booklet out that you can get in just about any home center with wiring diagrams showing how the switches are connected. My guess is one of the switches is not wired corectly. if you turn off the lights with the 4 way switch, then you should be able to turn them back on with the dimmer.
[This message has been edited by ACD (edited October 17, 2002).]
