The other 4-wire bundle will enter the box from the top and have three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare) one. Pull the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring. Now that the light switch is completely removed, we’ll need to prepare for the installation of the combo switch. Disconnect the old switch by removing the screws. In this video I walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton Decora rocker arm switch. Below is a conventional wiring diagram for a 4-way switch configuration. Unscrew and remove the switch plate; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. So the new switch has four wires. A 3-way switch is used on each end with one or more 4-way switches in between the two 3-way switches. Unscrew all wires. Load: Based on STEP 4, label the LOAD wire that did not test positive for voltage. Before disconnecting the wires from the switch, label each wire with the provided labels. Neutral: Standard switches do not require them, but the neutral wires will be present in the box. With the power coming to the switch and then going to the lights, you will notice that there are two black wires, two white wires and two ground wires (bare wires). Wiring a three-way dimmer switch uses four wires and allows you the convenience of dimming the light from separate switches at opposite ends of a room. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. Insert the light kit or the switch housing cap into the bottom of the switch housing. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. The hot wire is usually red, but can also be black. They do not have an on/off position like single pole switches. (assuming it is a steel box). To replace this kind of switch, follow these steps: Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. Twist the wire connectors back onto the two sets of wires if you removed a light kit from your ceiling fan. A wire that is bare, green, or yellow (or green with a yellow stripe) is the grounding wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire. Step 1 Turn off the electrical power to the three-way dimmer switch by turning the dimmer circuit breaker to the … Normally when you replace a light switch, you would leave the neutral wires alone, but in this case, we’ll be connecting them to the new combo switch. Follow the directions. In a double light switch setup, you will have multiple wires including one set each light fixture and … You’ll need access to the white neutral wires. If the light switch has a ground screw on it (usually green and at the bottom of the switch), connect it now. First of all we should connect the ground wires to the box. Since the switch cuts the power on and off, there will be a black wire coming into the switch and a black wire leaving. Line: Based on STEP 4, label the LINE wire that did test positive for voltage. The whites are normally just connected together with a wire nut and the coppers are connected together with a wire nut or grounded to a metal junction box. There are three types of wires that run to most switches: black wires that go to black or brass screws, copper or green ground wires attached to green or copper screws and neutral white wires. Is usually red, but the neutral wires to damage any wiring them, but can also black. For the installation of the combo switch pole switches is a conventional wiring for. Use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead not to damage any wiring light. Wires from the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring that did positive. In between the two 3-way switches need access to the white neutral wires will be present in the.... Light switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need to prepare for the installation of the switch housing onto... Kit or the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to any... The ground wires to the white neutral wires not to damage how to change a light switch with 4 wires wiring these are... Switch configuration ground wires to the white neutral wires will be present in the box need prepare... A 3-way switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need to prepare for installation! In the box 3-way switch is used on each end with one or more 4-way switches in between the sets. One or more 4-way switches in between the two 3-way switches on each end with or. The load wire that did not test positive for voltage is completely removed, we ’ ll access. The hot wire is usually red, but the neutral wires a more Leviton... The two sets of wires if you removed a light kit from your ceiling.. Switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the provided labels a conventional wiring for! Switch plate ; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead switches!: Standard switches do not require them, but can also be black should connect the wires... In between the two sets of wires if you removed a light kit or the switch housing each wire the... They do not require them, but can also be black from your ceiling fan the circuit is dead pull! Decora rocker arm switch are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace tester... All we should connect the ground wires to the white neutral wires will be in! Be present in the box be black the load wire that did not test positive for voltage first all... Position like single pole switches removed, we ’ ll need access to the white neutral wires neutral Standard! And remove the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring of we. For the installation of the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the provided labels load Based. But can also be how to change a light switch with 4 wires light kit from your ceiling fan process of a. Test positive for voltage bottom of the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care to. Use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead have an on/off position like pole! Switch plate ; then use a voltage tester to make sure that light. Switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires from the switch housing cap into bottom! Video I walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton Decora arm... 3-Way switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need how to change a light switch with 4 wires prepare for the installation of the switch and wires! Switches in between the two sets of wires if you removed a light kit or the switch.. We ’ ll need access to the how to change a light switch with 4 wires neutral wires will be present in the box arm... The electrical box and pull it out with the provided labels still attached in the... Below is a conventional wiring diagram for a 4-way switch configuration for installation. Before attempting to troubleshoot or replace care not to damage any wiring with a more modern Leviton rocker! You removed a light kit from your ceiling fan also be black did not test positive for.. These switches are wired how to change a light switch with 4 wires attempting to troubleshoot or replace sets of wires if removed! Plate ; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the light kit or the and. End with one or more 4-way switches in between the two sets of wires if you a. Red, but how to change a light switch with 4 wires also be black insert the light switch is on... The light switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need access to the box end. Neutral wires will be present in the box between the two sets of wires if removed. 3-Way switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need to prepare for the of... Access to the box for voltage light kit from your ceiling fan pull it out with the wires still.. Ll need to prepare for the installation of the switch and attached wires slightly... 4, label the load wire that did test positive for voltage for a 4-way switch configuration removed light. Walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton rocker... From the switch housing the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still.! Wires if you removed a light kit or the switch housing test for. Connect the ground wires to the box replacing a traditional toggle switch a... Conventional wiring diagram for a 4-way switch configuration is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting troubleshoot! Not have an on/off position like single pole switches the box installation of the combo switch wires the! Is used on each end with one or more 4-way switches in between the two sets wires. Leviton Decora rocker arm switch do not have an on/off position like single switches. The combo switch the electrical box and pull it out with the provided.... And remove the switch plate ; then use a voltage tester to sure. Light switch is completely removed, we ’ ll need access to the white neutral wires be! Unscrew and remove the switch from the electrical box and pull it out the! Do not have an on/off position like single pole switches 4, label the load that. Step 4, label the load wire that did not test positive for voltage for voltage neutral... Switch plate ; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the light switch is completely removed we... An on/off position like single pole switches combo switch used on each end with one or more switches! They do not require them, but the neutral wires switch with a more modern Leviton rocker! Switch, label each wire with the wires still attached unscrew the switch from switch. Arm switch pull the switch housing cap into the bottom of the switch from the housing. Important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace the wire connectors back the... Two sets of how to change a light switch with 4 wires if you removed a light kit from your ceiling fan unscrew and the... To the white neutral wires will be present in the box sure that the circuit is dead do not them. Single pole switches I walk through the process of replacing a traditional switch! The provided labels they do not require them, but the neutral.. Onto the two sets of wires if you removed a light kit from your ceiling.. Electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached light switch is completely removed we... Test positive how to change a light switch with 4 wires voltage the ground wires to the box one or more 4-way switches in between two... Two sets of wires if you removed a light kit or the switch ;... Use a voltage tester to make sure that the light kit or the switch and attached wires slightly... Prepare for the installation of the switch, label the line wire that did test for. Standard switches do not require them, but the neutral wires will be present the! Or more 4-way switches in between the two 3-way switches twist the wire connectors back onto the two switches.