Does it matter which 3-way switch I put a dimmer at on a 4-way circuit?

Question

I was working a side job today and re-wired quite a few 3 and 4-way circuits. I have a good understanding on how each work, but when I hooked up a 3-way dimmer on a 4-way circuit, the light would come on only if I had a certain switch on. Basically, I put it where I thought was at the switch leg end of the circuit. I'm only assuming this because the first 3-way is a foot away from the panel then the 4-way and finally the last 3-way. I've heard several people say to put it on the switch leg end (granted it's wired for a traditional 4-way circuit) or the switch that is not the line side. I also heard it does not matter... as long as it's obviously not in the middle. What the heck is the problem here???

Answer 1

Was it a standard dimmer switch, rather than a 3-way one?

When replacing an on/off switch with a dimmer switch, you must make sure the type of switch (standard, 3-way, 4-way) matches. They make all three types of on/off switches, but I've only ever seen standard and 3-way dimmers. I figure the rarity of use for 4-way dimmers, combined with the rarity with which they would be purchased, make them not worth manufacturing.

Anyway, in a 4-way circuit (or more-way), you can replace either 3-way on/off switch (which will either be the first or last switch) with a 3-way dimmer. But it must be a 3-way dimmer, not a basic dimmer.

I refer you to some excellent diagrams on wikipedia to see how multi-way circuits work. Note the difference between how a 3-way and 4-way switch work. If you can find a 4-way dimmer switch, you could replace any 4-way switch in a multi-way circuit with it. Otherwise, it's either got to be the first or last switch.

Answer 2

Let's get our lingo straight. In a 4-way switch network, there are 3 switches:

1) Line end 3-way switch

2) middle of network 4-way switch

3) load end 3-way switch

If you want to install a dimmer, I'd buy a Lutron 3-way dimmer at a compatible wattage for the load. Identify which of the 3 switches is at the Line end. The common lug on this Line End switch remains hot (120 VAC) when you toggle its switch. This Line End 3-way is the one you replace with the 3-way dimmer.

Sounds like you tried to install the dimmer at the Load End. As you describe, the switch on the dimmer was not sufficient to toggle the load state. That's because the Line voltage coming to it is conditional on the first two switch settings.

Answer 3

This post is old so I'll add a decade plus later they have multi location dimmers when more than 3 way is required, so single, 3 way, or multi location

Answer 4

Here is how three way and four way switches should be wired:

For deeper understanding, here is what it looks like schematically:

And here are specifics about wire marking and the different types of Romex™ (or NM-B) used: