4-way switch markings

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jeff48356

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Livonia, Michigan
On most 4-way switches, the terminals are labeled in pairs "Input" and "output" (or 'in' and 'out'). I find these somewhat confusing. To clarify, I would have labeled them "Cable A" and "Cable B", because they operate on 3-way travelers, and it doesn't matter which color wire goes to which terminal, as long as the wires of the same cable connect to any one pair. Your thoughts?
 
In a commercial/industrial/Chicago installation, with conduit & wire, there wouldn't be any cables.
An ohmmeter or continuity tester will quickly clear up any confusion.
 
drcampbell said:
In a commercial/industrial/Chicago installation, with conduit & wire, there wouldn't be any cables.
An ohmmeter or continuity tester will quickly clear up any confusion.
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That's true. I forgot about that, since I only work with residential. This is not a problem for me, since I know how to wire them, but I was thinking in terms of the average homeowner, if they needed to replace a defective switch.
 
I don't bother making it 'easy' for a DIYer to make repairs. If they can't figure out the markings, they shouldn't be doing the work.
 
jeff48356 said:
That's true. I forgot about that, since I only work with residential. This is not a problem for me, since I know how to wire them, but I was thinking in terms of the average homeowner, if they needed to replace a defective switch.
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Homeowners need to educate themselves on the tasks they are doing, it's not for us to worry about.

Roger
 
480sparky said:
I don't bother making it 'easy' for a DIYer to make repairs. If they can't figure out the markings, they shouldn't be doing the work.
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Amen.
roger said:
Homeowners need to educate themselves on the tasks they are doing, it's not for us to worry about.
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Amen again. IMHO, HO's are always looking to save a few $$. If they're looking to save in this area they should A) shut the power off and B) take out their cell phone and take a photo of the switch connections before they disconnect all the wires. At least that way they have a fighting chance of getting it right. Otherwise - call one of us.:thumbsup:
 
goldstar said:
If they're looking to save in this area they should A) shut the power off and B) take out their cell phone and take a photo of the switch connections before they disconnect all the wires. At least that way they have a fighting chance of getting it right. Otherwise - call one of us.:thumbsup:
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+1 on the pictures.

I do as much of my own auto maintenance as I can. More so because I enjoy it rather than to save money.

A picture has saved me more than once when making sure I get the springs back on a drum brake assembly correctly.
 
goldstar said:
Amen. Amen again. IMHO, HO's are always looking to save a few $$. If they're looking to save in this area they should A) shut the power off and B) take out their cell phone and take a photo of the switch connections before they disconnect all the wires. At least that way they have a fighting chance of getting it right. Otherwise - call one of us.:thumbsup:
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Yes. And since lugs not always in same location: when they fail and have to call electrician they are usually more tolerant of price
 
roger said:
Homeowners need to educate themselves on the tasks they are doing.
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retirede said:
I do as much of my own auto maintenance as I can. More so because I enjoy it rather than to save money.
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Over the years I have done a lot of my own auto repairs to save money. I can't even say I enjoy it.

I must say that without the advice given in a repair manual many times I would have been lost as to the correct procedure. Even when I repair an electrical appliance I normally have to get a bit of self training by looking up information.
 
retirede said:
+1 on the pictures.

I do as much of my own auto maintenance as I can. More so because I enjoy it rather than to save money.

A picture has saved me more than once when making sure I get the springs back on a drum brake assembly correctly.
Click to expand...

Before digital cameras we had to resort to doing one wheel at a time for the purpose of getting the hardware back on correctly. :lol:
 
K8MHZ said:
I was an ASE certified auto repair tech in another life and car techs feel the same about DIY mechanics as we sparkies do about DIY electricians.
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Many people in any given trade feel that those not in the trade are clueless. The reality is that the spectrum is broad. There are some nonprofessionals who are competent.
 
K8MHZ said:
If you had to wait that long to figure it out you probably shouldn't be working on brakes.

I was an ASE certified auto repair tech in another life and car techs feel the same about DIY mechanics as we sparkies do about DIY electricians.
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You are the one that brought up looking at the other side to see how to install them. I was pointing out that it would confuse some people seeing the opposite side. I could put brakes on in my sleep as I used to put them on for everybody around me. Even helped a cousin get caught up in his commercial garage on occasion. I still have my brake spoon and spring installers. Even have a tool to collapse calipers on disc brakes. Rebuilt a fair share of calipers as well.
 
Little Bill said:
You are the one that brought up looking at the other side to see how to install them. I was pointing out that it would confuse some people seeing the opposite side. I could put brakes on in my sleep as I used to put them on for everybody around me. Even helped a cousin get caught up in his commercial garage on occasion. I still have my brake spoon and spring installers. Even have a tool to collapse calipers on disc brakes. Rebuilt a fair share of calipers as well.
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I was addressing the people that would get confused, I wasn't talking about you, specifically.

I still have all my brake stuff, too. My caliper compressor doubles as a steering wheel puller. Or vicey versy. One day I found that my steering wheel puller worked great for compressing pistons and that's what I have been using ever since!
 
K8MHZ said:
Before digital cameras we had to resort to doing one wheel at a time for the purpose of getting the hardware back on correctly. :lol:
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Polaroid cameras were around for a long time. Could also have made an oil painting of it before disassembly:)

K8MHZ said:
If you had to wait that long to figure it out you probably shouldn't be working on brakes.

I was an ASE certified auto repair tech in another life and car techs feel the same about DIY mechanics as we sparkies do about DIY electricians.
Click to expand...
I have seen mechanics that I have to question their credibility. Common problems they might be good with, more advanced problems they don't know anything the computer or service manual doesn't tell them. Certain error codes they go with what the manual says for most probable issue but some don't really understand how things work all that well and can't figure out what is going on when things aren't working the way the computer/service manual describes things. I have fixed a few things myself that the "mechanic" couldn't figure out what was wrong. I have also figured out things for clients that other electricians failed to solve, troubleshooting isn't something that gets enough focus these days, but those that are really good at it do get repeat customers even if it cost more or they have to wait for scheduling.
 
jeff48356 said:
On most 4-way switches, the terminals are labeled in pairs "Input" and "output" (or 'in' and 'out'). I find these somewhat confusing. To clarify, I would have labeled them "Cable A" and "Cable B", because they operate on 3-way travelers, and it doesn't matter which color wire goes to which terminal, as long as the wires of the same cable connect to any one pair. Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
In/out vs A/B doesn't really matter to me. Some aren't marked at all. Even with raceway wiring methods you still have an "in" and an "out" pair. It don't really matter which conductor set is in or out either they can be swapped and it still works.

Could mark it with 1 and 2 or 99 and 100 and it still wouldn't matter.
 
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