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Electrical Wiring Lighting

4 way light switch?

3 years ago

I'm going to ask this question here and again when our electrician comes in. We're remodeling our kitchen. Our kitchen has 4 entry ways. It's a lot I know but it is what it is. We can get to the kitchen through the side door, through a entryway, through the dining room, and through our sunroom. I'd like to have a switch to turn on the kitchen lights through all these points because we use these entry points quite frequently. Is this an especially difficult set up and perhaps costly endeavor? We could possibly settle for 2 switches but it would be very annoying.

Featured Answer

wdccruise

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

With a motion-sensor switch ("occupancy sensor") you could have one switch, the occupancy sensor alone. When the occupancy sensor detected motion, it would turn on the light. You could also turn the lights on and off manually from the occupancy sensor.

In my remodeling project I've installed a number of LEDs and I've learned that one should always install dimmers to control them as they can be overwhelmingly bright. The Lutron MSCL-OP153MH combines a dimmer and occupancy sensor into one switch. Using it, you could configure the kitchen lighting control in any of these ways:

One switch: Lutron MSCL-OP153MH alone
Two switches (3-way): Lutron MSCL-OP153MH plus a standard 3-way on/off switch (example)
Three to nine switches (4-way): Lutron MSCL-OP153MH plus up to eight Lutron MA-RR companion dimmer switches.

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Comments (9)

zneret
3 years ago
If the walls are open and you can get up to the attic (or basement) to run the wiring, not too bad.

I am not a fan of wireless (partly due to expense and lack of perfect reliability) but these are an option.

https://www.casetawireless.com/products
Aglitter
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
You can easily do as many switches as you want. If the electrician doesn't know how or wants to charge a lot, you need a new electrician. https://www.easy-do-it-yourself-home-improvements.com/4-way-switch.html
ksd4423 thanked Aglitter
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ksd4423
Original Author
3 years ago
@zneret I believe the walls will be opened, maybe a couple. So what I'm sensing is that it shouldn't have to cost an arm and a leg or be too difficult for a good electrician. That's great to know. Right now there is only one light switch and it's behind the fridge. Other things in this home needed to be addressed before the kitchen but we're getting there!
Ron Natalie
3 years ago
Yep. I've always detested the 3-way/4-way nomenclature, but you can (with four way switches) put as many as you like in there. My outside lights on my house must show up on about four or five switches.
ksd4423
Original Author
3 years ago
Sort of related; I have my outside lights on a smart switch so that I don't have to remember to turn them off or on. They automatically are wired for sunset and sunrise. Very convenient!
wdccruise
3 years ago
You could install a motion-sensor switch (aka "occupancy switch") that would turn the kitchen lights on whenever somebody entered the room, eliminating the need for a switch at each entrance. You'd just have to make sure that the switch did not face a hallway or another room so that the sensor would not triggered by somebody just walking by. This Lutron MS-OPS5MH-WH can be trained to not turn on the lights when there is sufficient daylight. It can also co-exist with other switches.
ksd4423
Original Author
3 years ago
@wdccruise Would I need only one switch? How does the 3-way switch work?
Ron Natalie
3 years ago
A three-way or four-way, for that matter, can be used as if it were a regular (so-called 2-way) switch. It's just got more contacts,

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