4 Way switch wiring

raemon · Jul 19, 2024

Hello there kind gents and ladies,

I bought this switch about a month ago to replace an old one, and unfortunately this one doesn't seem to use the old wiring system and my searches have failed to find instructions for this type of wiring so if someone could please enlighten me on how to properly proceed, that would be wonderful. I assume the line wires would go to the L1, L2, L3 and L4 while the live would go to the L (I assume this is COM?).. so do I Group all the live wires into one and connect it to L?!?
Three are light switches and 1 is for the ceiling fan. This is at my in-laws and I am the one mainly doing the DIY stuff, so I'd prefer not to screw this up

Thank you in advance.

littlespark · Jul 19, 2024

Can we get a little more detail?

Is the new switch a “smart” switch and does it require a neutral?
Are any of the switches “3 way” as in, is there another switch controlling the same light!
Do you know why 2 cables are blue?

It looks to me there are 6 wires coming from the wall… 4 red, 2 blue.

There’s is a feed in, which loops across the 4 commons, then feeds out to the next switch… and 4 individual switch wires out.

The live in, and live out need to be kept together in the L of the new switch. Each switchwire into L1,2,3 and 4

raemon · Jul 19, 2024

littlespark said:
Can we get a little more detail?

Is the new switch a “smart” switch and does it require a neutral?

No it isn't a smart switch, and I have no idea if it requires a neutral unfortunately..

littlespark said:
Are any of the switches “3 way” as in, is there another switch controlling the same light!

No this will be the only switch controlling the lights and fan.

littlespark said:
Do you know why 2 cables are blue?

For cost savings, most likely.. here the laws aren't strict at all, especially in the village here.. no need for colour coded wires.. the blue is a surprise actually.. most wiring in this house uses all red wire

littlespark said:
It looks to me there are 6 wires coming from the wall… 4 red, 2 blue.

Yes that is correct.. 4 reds into one terminal, and the blues to their respective terminals.

littlespark said:
There’s is a feed in, which loops across the 4 commons, then feeds out to the next switch… and 4 individual switch wires out.

The live in, and live out need to be kept together in the L of the new switch. Each switchwire into L1,2,3 and 4

So I just bunch the live wires into the L, right?

Oh and thank you so much for the information. Appreciate your feedback very much

littlespark · Jul 19, 2024

There should only be 2 red wires into L. The feed in and the feed out.
The 3 existing short pieces between the 4 old switches are not needed.

You may want to tape either the 2 feed cables, or each of the switchwires for identification purposes before disconnecting.

And, no need to say it really, but please isolate the circuit before working on it.