Maybe the wrong place to pose this question but here goes.

I happen to be at a local electrical distributor manufacturer showcase day and ended up purchasing a Lutron Spacer system IR light control system (only a SPS-600M and an accessory dimmer). I got such a good deal on the items that I bought it knowing well that I may run into difficulty wiring the product into my house.

I am wiring this into my sconce light circuit. In this circuit is are two three way switches and a 4 way switch. One of the three way switches is a Lutron dimmer and the other two switches are just on/off switches. I have been told by Lutron that I can replace the 4 way with the Spacer system unit, and I have been told by Lutron that I can't. It is running about 60% can't, 40% can. I'm betting that I can't.

Here is what I want to do. One of the 3 way on/off switches I never have used since finishing off the basement. I want to eliminate this switch in the circuit so that I can make the 4-way switch to ta 3 -way. How do I determine which wire is what? Dumb question?

Mark W

Not at all. Speaking only about the wires attached to the switches, each 3-way has one wire on the darker terminal (the 'common'), and a pair of 'travelers'. One 'common' wire is fed the always-hot wire, and the other 'common' wire feeds the light(s).

The 4-way has the two pairs of travelers attached to it; one pair on the two dark terminals, and the other pair to the two light terminals.

To eliminate one of the 3-ways, just attach the 'common' wire to one of the travelers, take the 3-way to where the 4-way is, remove the 4-way, and attach the other end of the above-mentioned traveler to the 3-way's common, and attach the two un-disturbed travelers to the 3-way's traveler terminals.

You will have one traveler not connected to anything at either end now. To be safe, cap each end with a small wirenut, but leave it for any future use.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

When using the Lutron spacer system with the Accessory dimmers, you can forgert about the 3 way and 4 way stuff. You really have the main dimmer with Accessory dimmers to control it. The main dimmer is typically in the box with the power feed (line in) and the last accessory dimmer box usually has the lamp (load) wire coming into it. IF this is not the case, you will use the spare wires from the old three way/ 4 way setup to complete the electrical circuit according to the spacer wiring diagram. I am assuming you have one.
Do you have some way to link us to a diagram you have made of the electrical layout in your basement?

thanks for the all the info. I'm on my way to South Dakota for a graduation and when I return, I'll see what I can do to send a diagram or whatnot.

Thanks again guys.

Mark W