4 way switch question

[Sea Nile]

Why does this 4 way switch say "this side up"? Do all 4 way switch brands also have an "up"? BTW, this is a legrand brand switch.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

My guess is that they use the same back for single pole switches

 

[wwhitney]

My guess is that they use the same back for single pole switches

But that one has "4-way" stamped into it at the bottom.

It could be a direction to the factory assembler, as the back is clearly asymmetric vertically.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Little Bill]

It may have something to do with the wiring instructions. Some 4-ways switch straight across and some switch diagonally. Mounting it up or down would have no effect on the operation of switch but may have to do with consistency if wiring several switches. Just my SEWG!

 

[4x4dually]

That's interesting to say the least.

 

[synchro]

Maybe they were getting too many calls asking which end to put upward and it was costing them money.
And so they put "THIS END UP" on one of the ends just to put an end to these questions.
Also, there wasn't enough room to put "It Doesn't Matter Which End Is Up" on the switch.

 

[4x4dually]

Maybe they were getting too many calls asking which end to put upward and it was costing them money.
And so they put "THIS END UP" on one of the ends just to put an end to these questions.
Also, there wasn't enough room to put "It Doesn't Matter Which End Is Up" on the switch.

I say we remove ALL warning labels and let people sort themselves out since natural selection has completely failed us in the last 20 years.

 

[Sea Nile]

It could be a direction to the factory assembler, as the back is clearly asymmetric vertically.

It would make more sense to write it on the inside then, and in Chinese since they are the slave laborers assembling it.

My guess is that they use the same back for single pole switches

The single pole switch is much skinnier for this brand. But I agree with the logic.

Maybe they were getting too many calls asking which end to put upward

Those are the ones who shouldn't cross the road without a rational person holding their hand

It may have something to do with the wiring instructions. Some 4-ways switch straight across and some switch diagonally.

Rather have a wiring diagram stamped, that would be much less confusing.


The only thing that makes sense to me is a preference to have the ground wire at the bottom of the box

 

[retirede]

It would make more sense to write it on the inside then, and in Chinese since they are the slave laborers assembling it.

I think most Legrand devices are assembled in Mexico.

 

[electrofelon]

It helps you coordinate wiring and switch position such that the lights are off when every switch is down. It's REALLY unprofessional and hack to have all switches down and have the lights on....

Kidding

 

[hbiss]

It's like when you hire laborers to sod your lawn. You tell them "Green side up!"

-Hal

 

[hillbilly1]

It's like when you hire laborers to sod your lawn. You tell them "Green side up!"

-Hal

There is a joke down here about a Georgia Tech graduate, and UGA grads. LOL!

 

[LarryFine]

Why does this 4 way switch say "this side up"? Do all 4 way switch brands also have an "up"?

Maybe so it matches the stamped "this side up" on the front.

The bigger question is why is it on the back of the switch?

The instructions for my clothes dryer are printed on the inside of the door:

1. Put clothes in dryer, close door . . .

 

[Sea Nile]

The instructions for my clothes dryer are printed on the inside of the door:

Same for my microwave. Press auto defrost once for meat, twice for poultry, three times for fish, and four for bread.
I've been using the meat setting for everything before I saw it.
But more to the point, why would the manufacturer's instructions state that a 4 way switch have to be installed in a particular direction. Imagine the AHJ making you turn them all the correct way

 

[retirede]

There is a joke down here about a Georgia Tech graduate, and UGA grads. LOL!

When I heard it, it was referring to Aggies!

 

[acrwc10]

what if you mount them sideways?

 

[drcampbell]

It's a "reasonable accommodation" so that engineers and autistic electricians can continue making progress without being paralyzed by searching for a spec that details the "right" was to install it.

My own personal less-than-compelling installation spec for 3- and 4-way switches: The light should be off when all the handles are down. That way, if there's a power failure at bedtime, I can sleep without being interrupted by the lights coming on when the power's restored.

 

[James L]

It helps you coordinate wiring and switch position such that the lights are off when every switch is down. It's REALLY unprofessional and hack to have all switches down and have the lights on....

Kidding

I orient all my switches like that

I started doing it when I wired a lot of model homes, and a realtor requested it

 

[electrofelon]

I orient all my switches like that

I started doing it when I wired a lot of model homes, and a realtor requested it

I have a hard enough time getting a 3-4-3 to work right without worrying about coordinting all downs= off

 

[drcampbell]

I have a hard enough time getting a 3-4-3 to work right without worrying about coordinating all downs= off

It's no different than hooking up a three-phase motor to rotate the right way: Hook it up, turn it on, and go back and hook it up the other way after it doesn't do what you want on the first try.