Can 4 way switches be used as one way?

17 years ago

I am installing a tile backsplash in my kitchen and need to replace my white switches with brown. I got a great deal on ebay on some brown decora switches (10 brand new in box for only 99 cents for the lot!). I didn't notice until after I had placed my bid that they are all 4 way switches. Can I use them for my 2 one way switches, and my one 3 way switch? And if anyone has a need for some brown 4 way switches, I'll have 7 left over!

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Comments (10)

bus_driver
17 years ago
The question can be interpreted two ways. One is: Is it possible to substitute a 4 way for a single pole or for a three way switch? Technically, it is possible. The other interpretation is whether it is code permissible. I know of no reason why not since they are used as switches in the same circumstances and for the same type loads.
spencer_electrician
17 years ago
Does the code specify somewhere that single pole light switches must be labled on and off and installed in the orientation so that on is up? One of my NEC class instructors had a good story about the honney well plant that he works as the head electrician. Says an inspector flagged the campus for having three way switches that are not labled on and off hah. As a joke and to suit this misinformed inspectors requests he had a solution. Next to the light switches in a portion of the building he printed a sign and mounted it next to each one.

"When the switch at the end of the hallway is up and this one is down, light is on.
When the switch at the end of the hallay is down and this one is down, light is off........................."

But is there any code as to snap switches orientation for lighting loads. Know it would matter if it serves as a disconect but what about lights?
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You cannot make the 3-way switch at the bottom of the stairs work, the way it's designed, without 3 conductors. The best you can do without replacing the broken wire is to make it pseudo-work. By this, I mean use the switch at the bottom of the stairs as a 2-way switch. If it is on, the other two switches will work as normal. It it is off, the other switches will not turn the light on. If this is acceptable, here's how to do it, (functionally): 1) Cap off the broken black wire at both ends with a wire nut. 2) Remove the 4-way switch from the circuit. Move the bottom 3-way switch to the middle location. 3) Install a 2-way switch in the bottom box. 4) Connect the power, (black wire) to one side of the new 2-way switch. 5) Connect the red wire, (the one going out to the middle box with the broken black wire) to the other side of the new 2-way switch. 6) Connect the other end of the same red wire in the middle box to the common terminal on the three way switch. 7) Connect the black and red wires, of the 3 conductor cable from the middle switch to the top switch, to the other two terminals on the 3-way switch in the middle. 8) All the white wires will remain connected in each box as they are today. With all that said, I'd bite the bullet and replace the 3 conductor wire between the bottom and middle switch boxes. It's safer. If the drywaller broke the black wire, he may have nicked the red or white, which could result in a short later down the road.
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What do things look like in the other switch box in the closet you are talking about? Harder to see is what wires enter and exit the box at the light. The simplest set-up for a home owner to deal with will have a single gang box with one non-dimming 3-way switch at each location, and just one (black/white/bare ground) cable and one (black/red/white/bare ground) cable in the box with the switch. The cable that contains the red should go from box to box and makes up the travelers. The black and red ends of this cable should land on the screws on the switch that are the same color as each other (usually not black). The other cable either comes from the panel (the feed in) or goes to the light (the feed out). Put the black from this cable under the unique colored screw (usually black and sometimes called the common or point). Splice together all of the white wires and use the bare ground to ground each other and the switch and the box if it's metal. If you have a different wire arrangement than this, (and there are several that are both different and correct), and if you have only a small amount of experience then you would probably be well served by hiring a pro. I personally can't recall ever seeing or installing a 3-way in a walk-in closet and the black conductor landed on the ground screw makes me think that you will end up hiring someone to sort this out. Good luck.
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bus_driver
17 years ago
Obviously 3-way and 4-way switches used as designed are not marked and the handles are not necessarily down when the load is "off". But power is at the switch at all times the circuit is energized. 404.6 refers to knife switches.
blacknumber1
17 years ago
I always thought the lettering on switches was kinda dumb, if you have a switched load that you can't tell readily if the switch is on or off (like a switch controlling a remote load or a load like a heat tape) then you should reallylook at a pilot lighted switch.
terezosa / terriks
Original Author
17 years ago
Okay, as a homeowner, can I use these four way switches a one way switches. If yes, how? Thanks.
brickeyee
17 years ago
"...then you should reallylook at a pilot lighted switch."

Why bother adding another thing that can fail when you can simply label the switch???
bus_driver
17 years ago
terriks, I refrained earlier from saying that if you must ask this very basic question as to how to do the hookup (one of the possible interpretations of the original question), it would be better to buy the correct switches OR to hire the work done by a licensed electrician. And if instruction is needed for the correct switches, hire the electrician.
joed
17 years ago
As a home owner you can use those switches for what ever purpose they work for you. The on/off discussion is just useless babble. Use them as you see fit. They will work and not be a code violation.
DavidR
17 years ago
Decora switches aren't marked for off and on anyway, are they? I don't see any real problem here. Using your ohmmeter or continuity tester, just find two terminals that open when the switch is down and close when the switch is up, and you're all set.
thyron
17 years ago
there should be a black set of screws and a gold set. try hooking your two wires to one set if that doesnt work put one wire on a black screw and one wire on a gold screw.

Can 4 way switches be used as one way?

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Can 4 way switches be used as one way?

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