Adding dimmer to 4-way lights
#1
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Thread Starter
Adding dimmer to 4-way lights
I have a few hallway lights controlled by 3 switches. I converted them to LED cans and they are way too bright. I bought a 3-way dimmer. '
Not knowing how the electrical was done originally, I removed the first switch that had 2 orange and 1 black wire and wired in the dimmer. The dimmer worked, but only when the other 2 switches were in a certain configuration.
I replaced the original switch and moved on to the next one that had the same 2 orange, 1 black configuration and tried replacing that. Same outcome.
The last switch I pulled out of the 3 has 4 orange wires. I am not sure what to do to get this working.
Not knowing how the electrical was done originally, I removed the first switch that had 2 orange and 1 black wire and wired in the dimmer. The dimmer worked, but only when the other 2 switches were in a certain configuration.
I replaced the original switch and moved on to the next one that had the same 2 orange, 1 black configuration and tried replacing that. Same outcome.
The last switch I pulled out of the 3 has 4 orange wires. I am not sure what to do to get this working.
#2
Going to need the make and model of the dimmer you're trying to install.
I have never had good results with the dimmers that use the existing switches. I use the Lutron Maestro dimmers where slave controls are used in place of the switches.
I have never had good results with the dimmers that use the existing switches. I use the Lutron Maestro dimmers where slave controls are used in place of the switches.
#4
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Thread Starter
I am trying to use a Lutron MACL-153.
The directions tell me to do something in another switch box. That strikes me as odd. I installed one of these in another 4 -way setup with no issue. I also don't know the layout of the wiring of the 3 switches.
I did set the dimmer as a master (step 9).
The directions tell me to do something in another switch box. That strikes me as odd. I installed one of these in another 4 -way setup with no issue. I also don't know the layout of the wiring of the 3 switches.
I did set the dimmer as a master (step 9).
#5
Member
Thread Starter
I am trying to use a Lutron MACL-153.
The directions tell me to do something in another switch box. That strikes me as odd. I installed one of these in another 4 -way setup with no issue. I also don't know the layout of the wiring of the 3 switches.
I did set the dimmer as a master (step 9).
The directions tell me to do something in another switch box. That strikes me as odd. I installed one of these in another 4 -way setup with no issue. I also don't know the layout of the wiring of the 3 switches.
I did set the dimmer as a master (step 9).
If this would work in this case, I am not against doing that.
#6
Did the original 3 way switches work correctly? It sounds like a common was transposed with a traveler.
#7
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Thread Starter
Yes. They worked fine.
Just to verify it, I put the original switches back in place and it works no matter where I turn the light on or off from.
Just to verify it, I put the original switches back in place and it works no matter where I turn the light on or off from.
#8
Make sure the common wire from the odd colored screw goes to the common on the new switch. The other two do not matter.
#9
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Thread Starter
I looked at my other 4-way situation that works and at the dimmer. I just went and bought the same one (Lutron DVCL-153PR) and it works fine.
I think that other dimmer is setup differently as it says it can be used in a 3-way situation, but all 3 screws are a different color. I'll save that one for a single pole application.
Thanks for the help
I think that other dimmer is setup differently as it says it can be used in a 3-way situation, but all 3 screws are a different color. I'll save that one for a single pole application.
Thanks for the help
#10
The MACL is the perfect dimmer to use. That is exactly what I use. However Lutron shows several different diagrams using the existing/standard three way switch but I've found that they don't all work.
When I install the Maestro dimmers... I always use the Lutron MA-R-WH Maestro companion dimmer and never have any problems.
When I install the Maestro dimmers... I always use the Lutron MA-R-WH Maestro companion dimmer and never have any problems.
#11
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Thread Starter
When I install the Maestro dimmers... I always use the Lutron MA-R-WH Maestro companion dimmer and never have any problems.
There is added cost, but it looks like you can dim from any switch. If a switch goes out, you need to replace it with the same though.
I just had another Lutron dimmer (single pole) go out and it is less than 2 years old and rarely used.