How to Rewire a Single Pole Switch to a Four-Way Switch

There may come a time when you want to wire a single-pole electrical switch to a four-way light switch. Even if you have a single switch wired up, the chances are good that the wires to run a four-way switch are inside your wall, but just capped off. When wiring a home's electrical and light switches, electrical contractors usually run enough wires to install a four-way switch --- in case homeowners want to make the switch later.

Things You'll Need

• Wire strippers
• 4-way switch
• 4-way switch plate cover
• Plastic end connectors

Instructions

1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker to the switch or outlet you are going to be working on.

2. Remove the face plate from your wall with a screwdriver. Set the plate and screws aside.

3. Remove the old single-pole switch by unscrewing it first from the mounting plate with a screwdriver and then untwisting the wire connections to the single-pole switch terminals.

4. Pull the other unused wires from your wall socket and uncap the plastic end cap.

5. Locate and isolate the black common wires in your wall socket. These black wires are your "hot" wires. Connect the black common wires to the corresponding terminals on the back of your new 4-way switch. The terminals on the back of the switch will be clearly labeled "COM." There are two COM terminals on the back of your 4-way switch, one at the top and one at the bottom. Use a screwdriver to connect them.

6. Hook up your traveler wires. Traveler wires are the red wires that connect the switches together. Wrap one around the top screw on the switch. Wrap the other around the last empty screw terminal at the bottom of the switch.

7. Shove the wires and the switch case into the wall and fasten it with fastening screw. Set the new cover plate over your 4-way switch and screw in the mounting screws.

References

• Wiring Simplified: Based on the 2008 National Electrical Code; H. P. Richter and F.P. Hartwell; 2008