This page takes you through 3-way / 4-way / 5-way external switch wiring for Nano Dimmer and forms part of the larger Nano Dimmer user guide.


Many users want to install Nano Dimmer over a 3-way/4-way/5-way external toggle switch. However, it can be difficult to wire these configurations with Nano Dimmer or Nano Switch.


Before you even begin pulling apart your external switch, please make sure you have a basic understanding on how external switches are wired to Nano Dimmer and be aware of where the wires are connected to behind your walls. Understand that wiring the Nano Dimmer in a 3-way/4-way/5-way is not a standard method of wiring this type of external switch and is greatly different to most countries' external switch wiring.


It is highly suggested to test a common 2-way toggle switch over COM and S1 terminal on Nano Dimmer before attempting to wire Nano Dimmer on a 3-way/4-way/5-way external switch circuit. you may find either of the articles below on a 2-way toggle switch wiring for your test:

  1. How to wire Nano Dimmer with neutral wire.
  2. How to wire Nano Dimmer without neutral wire.


Requirements.

The installation requirements of Nano Dimmer can be divided into 2 parts: 

  1. Power and Load 
  2. External Switch.
  3. Minimum of 4 traveler wires (3x travelers, 1x Neutral)


Minimum requirements to use Nano Dimmer (Power and Load).

Power (AC Supply) must directly power the Nano Dimmer, while the Load voltage input wire must be directly connected to the Nano Dimmer in order for Nano Dimmer to control the Load. This is the minimum requirement for Z-Wave and dimming control from Nano Dimmer from your Z-Wave gateway to work properly. 

  • AC Supply Live voltage must be connected to the L terminal on Nano Dimmer.
  • N Terminal on Nano Dimmer must be bridged to L Terminal on Nano Dimmer, or connected directly to Neutral from the AC Supply line.
  • OUT Terminal on Nano Dimmer must be directly connected to the Load/Light input voltage wire (often a black wire in the US).


External Switch requirements (External Switch).

The External Switch can be seen as an optional add-on to the Nano Dimmer. It isn't necessary to connect an external switch if you only want to control Nano Dimmer via your Z-Wave gateway.

  • Maximum wire length in a switch loop is 10 meters (or ~33 ft).
  • External Switch must connect between COM / S1 or S2 to complete the loop connection.


Parameter Setting use.


You can choose to either use parameter settings to change the external switch mode, or manually force the Nano to enter a switch auto-detection mode to properly determine what type of switch. We advise using the manual method.


There are a few different methods of wiring 3/4/5 way switches to Nano, but we suggest if you use the wiring methods below, make sure to set Parameter 120 [1 byte] to 3-way switch mode, this mode is used for the wiring method below and should be used for 3, 4, or 5 way switching.


Parameter 120 [1 byte] = 2



Manually forcing Nano to enter switch detection mode for S1 or S2


To force the Nano to enter external switch detection mode again (For S1):

  1. Tap the Nano button 4x times within 1-2 seconds which will force Nano to enter External Switch detection mode. (LED will flash blue)
    1. Flip your external switch once, then wait at a minimum 10 seconds before you flip the switch again.
    2. Now test your external switch.

 

To force the Nano to enter external switch detection mode again (For S2):

  1. Tap the Nano button 6x times within 1-2 seconds which will force Nano to enter External Switch detection mode. (LED will flash green)
    1. Flip your external switch once, then wait at a minimum 10 seconds before you flip the switch again.
    2. Now test your external switch.


Warning.


We highly recommend that you hire an electrician who will have the best understanding on how to wire Nano Dimmer as a 3-way/4-way/5-way.


If you are unsure how your current 3-way/4-way/5-way external switches are wired, please contact a professional electrician to help. It is dangerous to work your wires without any understanding of what wires are connected where.


Nano Dimmer does not accept high voltage over S1 or S2 connection, power must be provided from COM to S1 or COM to S2. High voltage (110-240VAC will damage Nano Dimmer and void warranty).


Neutral Connection doesn't matter.


You can view the external switch and L and N connection completely separate from eachother, regardless of how Nano Dimmer is powered (with or without neutral), the wiring of the external switch remains the same.


Nano Dimmer Draft Diagrams for 3-way without L, N, or OUT connection.


Diagram 1 - 3-way mode.

Diagram 2 - 2-state mode.




Nano Dimmer switch schematics.


All Diagrams below use 3-way pulse where signals are controlled from ON -> OFF -> ON during a single flip of a switch. The correct setting is:


Parameter 120 [1 byte dec] = 2

Parameter 121 [1 byte dec] = 2


4-way external switch schematics.





5-way external switch schematics.