Episode 10 – What’s Inside A 3-way and 4-way Switch?

In this episode I take apart a 3-way and 4-way switch and talk about how they work on the inside.

A typical 3-way switch works by allowing current 2 pathways to take through the device.  If the switch is in one position it allows current to take one path.  If the switch is flipped into a different position current will take a separate path.

4way switches operate virtually the same way, by offering 2 paths for current to travel, however a 4way switch has 2 inputs and 2 outputs.  This differs from a 3way switch where you have one input and 2 outputs.

I will be coming out with an episode next that shows all of this on a white marker-board a little bit more in depth. Stay tuned!

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**Disclaimer – These videos are for training purposes alone, all work done on electrical systems should be done by a licensed and insured electrical contractor.  If you are not an electrician, do not attempt any of the work you are seeing in these videos.**