Follow the instructions below to install a Deako Backplate in a single-pole circuit.
Don't know what kind of circuit you have? Check out Wiring types.
To enlarge wiring diagrams, download them here.
Wiring requirements
- Neutral wire required
- Ground wire required for safe operation
- Click here for additional specs
Required tools
Replacing existing switches
If you are replacing an existing (non-Deako) switch, continue to Replacing a single-pole switch.
If you are not replacing an existing switch, continue to step 8.
Replacing a single-pole switch
1. Turn the power off
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the off position.
2. Remove faceplate & mounting screws
Using a screwdriver, remove all screws attaching the faceplate & switch to the junction box.
3. Carefully pull switch out
Pull the switch straight out so that you can see the wires & where they are attached to the switch.
4. Identify ground & neutral wires
Your ground wire will be either green or bare copper; you may have more than one in the junction box. Your neutral wire will be white and you will likely have more than one in the junction box.
5. Flip switch to the "off" position
6. Turn the power on
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the on position.
7. Identify "live" wire
Using a non-contact voltage tester, touch each wire to identify the “live” wire; this is your hot-in. The remaining wire is your load.
Trouble identifying your wires? If you’re unable to identify each of the wires, a professional electrician will be able to help.
8. Turn the power off
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the off position.
9. Strip existing wires
Strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
Do not shorten Deako Backplate wires.
10. Connect wires
For Quickwire backplates, push in the wires to the corresponding terminals. If you need to remove a wire from a terminal, lightly twist and pull.
For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates, for enlarged wiring diagrams, download them here.
11. Screw in Deako Backplate
- Carefully manage wires into the junction box
- Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
12. Turn the power on
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the on position.
What's next?
Now that you have installed a single-pole Deako Backplate you can now install any Deako Product into it without even having to turn off the power!
Follow the instructions below to install two Deako Backplates in a 3-way circuit.
Note: Quickwire backplates and wired backplates can be used together on the same multiway.
Don't know what kind of circuit you have? Check out Wiring types.
Quickwire diagrams are available here.
Wiring requirements
- Neutral wire required
- Ground wire required for safe operation
- Click here for additional specs
Required tools
Replacing existing switches
If you are replacing existing (non-Deako) switches, continue to step 1.
If you are not replacing existing switches, continue to step 9.
Replacing 3-way switches
1. Turn the power off
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the off position.
2. Remove faceplate & mounting screws
Using a screwdriver, remove all screws attaching the faceplate & switch to the junction box.
3. Carefully pull switch out
Pull the switch straight out so that you can see the wires & where they are attached to the switch.
4. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 2-3 for that switch.
Once you have uninstalled the existing switches in the circuit, continue to the step 5.
5. Identify the common
The common wire will be attached to the black screw on a 3-way switch.
6. Remove the common and mark it
Using a screwdriver, remove the common and mark it by twisting a wire nut onto it.
7. Remove the other wires
Remove the other wires from the 3-way switch.
The travelers will be on the brass or gold screws. The ground will be on the green screw.
8. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 5-7 for that switch.
Once you have identified the wires for each switch in the circuit, continue to step 9.
9. Strip existing wires
Strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
10. Connect wires
For Quickwire backplates, push in the wires to the corresponding terminals. If you need to remove a wire from a terminal, lightly twist and pull.
For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates, download diagrams here.
11. Screw in Deako Backplate
- Carefully manage wires into the junction box
- Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
12. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 9-13 for that switch.
Once you have installed both Deako Backplates in the 3-way circuit, continue to step 15.
13. Turn the power on
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the on position.
What's next?
Now that you have installed Deako Backplates in a 3-way circuit, you can now install any Deako Product into it without even having to turn off the power!
- Installing Deako Smart Switches in a 3-way Circuit
- Installing Deako Smart Dimmers in a 3-way Circuit
Replacing existing switches
If you are replacing existing (non-Deako) switches, continue to step 1.
If you are not replacing existing switches, continue to step 9.
Replacing 3-way switches
1. Turn the power off
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the off position.
2. Remove faceplate & mounting screws
Using a screwdriver, remove all screws attaching the faceplate & switch to the junction box.
3. Carefully pull switch out
Pull the switch straight out so that you can see the wires & where they are attached to the switch.
4. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 2-3 for that switch.
Once you have uninstalled the existing switches in the circuit, continue to the step 5.
5. Identify the common
The common wire will be attached to the black screw on a 3-way switch.
6. Remove the common and mark it
Using a screwdriver, remove the common and mark it by twisting a wire nut onto it.
7. Remove the other wires
Remove the other wires from the 3-way switch.
The travelers will be on the brass or gold screws. The ground will be on the green screw.
8. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 5-7 for that switch.
Once you have identified the wires for each switch in the circuit, continue to step 9.
9. Strip existing wires
Strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
10. Connect wires
Push in the wires to the corresponding terminals.
For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates, download diargrams here.
11. Screw in Deako Backplate
-
Carefuly manage wires into the junction box
-
Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
12. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 9-13 for that switch.
Once you have installed both Deako Backplates in the 3-way circuit, continue to step 15.
13. Turn the power on
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the on position.
What's next?
Now that you have installed Deako Backplates in a 3-way circuit, you can now install any Deako Product into it without even having to turn off the power!
Note: Quickwire backplates and wired backplates can be used together on the same multiway.
Don't know what kind of circuit you have? Check out Wiring types.
To enlarge wiring diagrams, download them here.
Wiring requirements
- Neutral wire required
- Ground wire required for safe operation
- Click here for additional specs
Required tools
Replacing existing switches
If you are replacing existing (non-Deako) switches, continue to step 1.
If you are not replacing existing switches, continue to step 15.
Replacing 4-way switches
1. Turn the power off
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the off position.
2. Remove faceplate & mounting screws
Using a screwdriver, remove all screws attaching the faceplate & switch to the junction box.
3. Carefully pull switch out
Pull the switch straight out so that you can see the wires & where they are attached to the switch.
4. Repeat for each switch in the circuit
Move to the next switch in the circuit and repeat step 2-3 for that switch.
Once you have uninstalled the existing switches in the circuit, continue to the step 5.
5. Identifying wires in a 4-way circuit
Standard 4-way circuits include two 3-way switches (one in the line location and one in the load location) and one or more 4-way switches in the line location.
There are many other ways of wiring 4-way circuits and we highly recommend consulting a professional electrician if you encounter an issue.
6. Start at the 3-way line switch
This is the switch closest to the power source.
7. Identify the common
The common wire will be attached to the black screw on a 3-way switch.
8. Remove the common and mark it
Using a screwdriver, remove the common and mark it by twisting a wire nut onto it.
9. Remove the other wires
Remove the other wires from the 3-way switch.
The travelers will be on the brass or gold screws. The ground will be on the green screw.
10. Move to the 3-way load switch
Move to the 3-way load switch in the circuit and repeat step 7-9 for that switch.
Once you have identified the wires for both 3-way switches (at the line & load locations), continue to step 11.
11. Move to the 4-way line switch
If there are more than three switches in the circuit you will have more than one 4-way line switch.
Start with the 4-way line switch closest to the 3-way line switch.
12. Remove "input" travelers & mark them
Using a screwdriver, remove the pair of wires from the switch labeled “Input” (these originate from the 3-way line) and mark them by twisting wire nuts onto them.
We recommend performing a continuity check on each pair to verify the wire’s path.
13. Remove "output" travelers
Remove the pair of wires from the switch labeled “Output” (these go to the 3-way load or next 4-way switch).
We recommend performing a continuity check on each pair to verify the wire’s path.
14. If you have more than one 4-way line
If you have more than one 4-way line in your 4-way circuit, repeat steps 11-13 for the other backplate.
Once you have identified the wires in all 4-way line locations in the circuit, continue to step 15.
15. Strip existing wires at the 3-way line location
Strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
16. Connect wires for the 3-way line
For Quickwire backplates, push in the wires to the corresponding terminals. If you need to remove a wire from a terminal, lightly twist and pull.
For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates download diagrams here.
17. Screw in Deako Backplate
- Carefuly manage wires into the junction box
- Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
18. Strip existing wires at the 4-way line location
Move to the 4-way line location of the circuit and strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
19. Connect wires for the 4-way line
Push in the wires to the corresponding terminals. For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates, download diagrams here.
20. Screw in Deako Backplate
- Carefully manage wires into the junction box
- Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
21. If you have more than one 4-way line
If you have more than one 4-way line in your 4-way circuit, repeat step 19-21 for the other backplate.
Once you have installed both Deako Backplates in all 4-way line locations in the circuit, continue to step 23.
22. Strip existing wires at the 3-way load location
Move to the 3-way load location of the circuit and strip the wires coming out of the wall to 3/8’’.
23. Connect wires for the 3-way line
Push in the wires to the corresponding terminals.
For enlarged Quickwire diagrams, download them here.
If using wired backplates, download diagrams here.
24. Screw in Deako Backplate
- Carefully manage wires into the junction box
- Once backplate can be pressed flush to wall, screw the Deako Backplate into the junction box using included screws
25. Turn the power on
Identify the appropriate circuit breaker at your panel and flip it to the on position.
What's next?
Now that you have installed Deako Backplates in a 4-way circuit, you can now install any Deako Product into it without even having to turn off the power!