ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 390 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#19875 01/05/03 12:20 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Could someone please explain to me,
from New Zealand, what a 4 Way switch is?.
We have over here the standard 1 way switch,
the 2way switch and the 2way+Intermediate.
What is this? [Linked Image]

#19876 01/05/03 12:32 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Trumpy,

A 4 way has 4 terminals and goes between 2 3 ways to add another switching location:

[Linked Image]

Look Here for More: https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000068.html

Bill


Bill
#19877 01/05/03 01:04 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Bill,
Thanks for your very prompt reply, all of about 10 minutes, are you staying up late?.
The diagram, that you have tendered, to me, is the same as a 2-way+Intermediate circuit,
the Intermediate, being in the middle of the
circuit.
But Bill, would the circuit be run like this in practice?.
Over here, we have a different way of running the whole circuit, all of the feed, switch and "strap" wires, terminate in the same flushbox,this is called the "Start"end of the circuit
All you have between the Intermediate and the "End" flushbox, is the same as what you have at the "Start" flushbox.
With respect to these types of lighting circuits, is there a standard colour-code for the "straps"?.

#19878 01/05/03 03:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Trumpy,

No, it would not really run like this. Maybe someone else can point to a diagram that is more representative of how the wiring would run. The Neutral would run with the travelers from switch to switch and then to the load. Maybe we can get Scott to fix these diagrams so that they show that.

Bill


Bill
#19879 01/05/03 05:45 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Bill,

I'll see what can be done this weekend. (regarding actual cabling scenarios).

Scott s.e.t.

P.S. might inbed on schematics something that kind of copywrites it to ECN (per the thread about "Mr Eelctrician").


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#19880 01/05/03 08:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
Trumpy,
This is where most Brits would start getting confused with American terminology.

In the U.K. a 4-way switch is also known as an "intermediate" switch, and an American 3-way switch is called a 2-way. Oz and NZ obviously followed British terminology!

Compare with:
UK ground floor = US first floor
UK first floor = US second floor

#19881 01/06/03 12:24 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Oh how true Paul,
strange, but true. [Linked Image]

#19882 01/08/03 09:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
FYI:

I have added circuit referenced drawings to the drawings located in the Technical Reference section, under the topic of:

3-way and 4-way Switchloop Schematics

Let me know what you think!!!

P.S. I need to alter the size of them (Way TOOOO BIGGGGG!!!). I will do this ASAP.

Scott s.e.t.


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#19883 01/08/03 10:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Pauluk,

Gee, that's funny, I thought Americans called the 3 way switch because it came from England. I read some where that over there the switch was originaly called a "3 point" switch. That being because it had 3 screw terminals. And the 4-way switch was a "4 point" switch because it had 4 terminals. When I tell people over here that a "3 way" switch operates lights from 2 different spots, and a "4 way" switch operates from 3 or more spots, they look at me like I was nuts. I believe I read this article in an American trade magazine about 2-3 years ago. Ever hear of this?

#19884 01/08/03 10:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 267
W
Member
3-ways could also be named as not to confuse with single pole double throw, and 4-way not to confuse with double pole double throw.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5