How to Control One Light Bulb from Five or Six Different Places? – IEC & NEC

Electrical Technology

Controlling a Lamp from Five or Six Locations using 4-Way Switches (US) or Intermediate Switches (3-Way) in EU.

In today’s basic home electrical wiring installation tutorial, we will show how to wire and control a light point from six different places by using two, 2-way switches and four intermediate switches In EU, UK & IEC following countries. While the same purpose can be achieved using the same switches known as 3-Way and 4-Way Switches in North America – US – NEC.

To keep things simple and understandable, we will use the following terms which are the same things but known as different in US (NEC) and EU (IEC.

2-Way Switch & 3-Way Switch

North America – US – NEC: SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw ) is known as Three-Way Switch
UK, EU & IEC Following Countries: SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw ) is known as Two-Way Switch

3-Way Switch & 4-Way Switch

North America – US – NEC: DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw ) is known as 4-Way Switch or Crossover Switch. The pair of wires connecting the 4-way and 3-way switches are known as travelers.
UK, EU & IEC Following Countries: DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw ) is known as 3-Way Switch or Intermediate Switch. The pair of wires connecting the 3-way and 2-way switches are known as strappers.

There is no difference between 4-way switch (NEC) and 3-Way switch IEC e.g. it represents the same thing. In short, a 4-Way Switch (US) or 3-Way (Intermediate) Switch is a DPDT is a “Double Pole Double Throw” switch having four terminals.

Recommended Switches wiring tutorials to understand this configurations:

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Before going into details, we have to show the basic construction and operating mechanism of single way switch and intermediate switch.

Working & Operation Mechanism of SPDT (2-Way) Switch

Working & Operation Mechanism of Intermediate Switch

We have posted a detailed post about What is Intermediate Switch & Its Construction, Working & Uses in Electrical Wiring

An intermediate switch is commonly used in basic home electrical wiring installations i.e. staircase wiring, two-way switching, corridor & hallway wiring, hostel wiring, godown wiring, tunnel wiring, hospital wiring, three way switching as well as controlling a light point from different places with the help of using 2-way switches.

How To Wire Switches in Series?
How To Wire Switches in Parallel?

Controlling a Lamp from Five Locations using 4-Way Switches & 3-Way Switches – NEC

Requirements:

2 No. of 3-Way Switches (SPDT = Single Pole Double Through) x 2 No
1 No. of Light Bulb) x 1 No
Short pieces of wires as needed.

Procedure:

Just connect three 4-way switches in the middle of the two, 3-way switches as shown in the wiring diagam. The circuit is capable of controlling the light bulb from five different locations. You may control the lighting point from any number of places by adding additional 4-way switches in the middle of the circuit i.e. in between two, 3-way switches.

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How To wire Lamps in Series?
How To Wire Lamps in Parallel?

Controlling a Lamp from Six Places using 3-Way (Intermediate) Switches & 2-Way Switches – IEC

We will use two, 2-way SPDT (Single Pole Double Through) switches and four intermediate switches (3-way) to control the lamp from six different places.

Good to know: You can control a lighting point from many different places as you want by using two, 2-way switches and the required number of intermediate switches needed to control the light bulb (or any other electrical appliances) from different locations and places.

Requirements:

Two Way Switches (SPDT = Single Pole Double Through) x 2 No
Lamp (Light Bulb) x 1 No
Short pieces of cables & wires x 12 No

Procedure:

Just connect four intermediate switches in the middle of the two, 2-way switches as shown in fig below. The circuit is capable of controlling the light bulb from six different places. You may control the bulb from more than six places by adding additional intermediate switches in the middle of the circuit i.e. in between two, 2-way switches.

Click image to enlarge

Working of the Circuit:

If both two-way switches are at OFF or ON position, The light bulb will switch ON and glow and the bulb may be controlled (To Switch ON or OFF) by pressing any intermediate switch. In other words, you may switch ON or OFF the light point by just pressing any switch no matter if it is the two switch or intermediate switch.

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How to Control One Light Bulb from Six Different Places?

Good to know:

Switches and fuses must be connected through line (Live) wire.
More wires and cables are required in this kind of wiring connection.
4-Way Switches (Intermediate Switches) are a little bit expensive due to the complex internal configuration.
4-Ways switches are rated for 120-277V while double pole switches are rated for 240V.

The brass screws should be connected to the Hot (line, live or phase) wire using the IEC & NEC Wire color codes. In case of SPDT and 4-Way (Intermediate switches), black colored screws are used for Hot or common terminals. In short, the color for common terminal is different than other terminals.
The silver screws should be connected to the Neutral wire (in case of switched outlet)
The green screw should be connected to the ground / earth wire (Green/Yellow or naked wire)
If there are no color coded screws on outlets, refer to the user manual or contact a licensed electrician.
Neutral Wire is not required in 240V outlets wiring (US) Also, Neutral is never connected to the switches.
Use the suitable voltage and ampere rating of switch with appropriate wire size and proper size MCB according to the load rating.

Precautions:

Switch off the main circuit breaker to make sure the power supply is OFF before wiring an existing or new outlet or switch with an electrical/junction box.
Contact the authorized and licensed electrician for switch installation if you are not sure about the wiring diagrams.
The author will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information or if you try any circuit in the wrong format. So please! Be careful because it’s all about electricity and electricity is too dangerous.

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