hey everyone i currently moved into a condo built in the 80s and i wanted to replace my toggle switches with rocker switches. Some on the switches have 3 toggle switches on them to control 3 different lights in the kitchen. I took out the outlet and there was 3 black wires in the back of the outlet and then a orange red and blue wire in the back. I purchased a new leviton switch with 3 rockers on it. My question is how do i hook up the 6 wires to new switch. It has 3 screw terminals on one side and 1 screw terminal on the other side, where do 6 wires go? I will post some pictures. Thanks

 

If those are switch loops that switch won't work. If there are not three or more white wires connected only to each other in the switch box then those are switch loops so you would need a different switch.

 

can you recommend the correct switch i need please

 

It looks like the three black wires are all connected to a single wire with a red wirenut.
Is that correct ?

 

The three screw on on side are the switched hot going to different fixtures. The single screw is the hot feed.

 

Are all of the black conductors on the same circuit,if so you could wirenut them with a pigtail and attach it to the single terminal on the side and connect switchlegs as they were on the old switch.
Despard makes switches that may work for you but don't see any rocker type.http://www.kyleswitchplates.com/desp...tches-outlets/

 

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...8ce6b7_400.jpg

Is this switch you have purchased?

If so, do the following.

1. Remove wire nut holding black wires and remove 2 of black wires going to the switch. (you are keeping 1)
2. Connect black wire to the side with single screw.
3. Connect rest of wires to side with 3 screws in the same order as existing switch.


The difference between new and old switch is that old switch had separate hot connections for each of 3 switches and new switch has single common hot connection for all 3 switches (internally connected).

 

But if they are switch loops that may not work. You could even get a 240 volt short. First answer my original question. Are there a group of whites connected to each other in the switch box? Answer that before going any further.

 

Instead of repeating the same method over and over..... let's wait for the OP to respond.

 

I turned off the fuse so it looks like the black wires are all on the same circuit

 

sorry guys i was outta town for the weekend. But to answer all your guys questions. It doesnt look like there is a group of white wires connected in the switch box. Yes, the three black wires are going to a single wire nut. And that is the switch i bought

 

Since all the switches share the same power wire then you should be ok.

The three jumpers can be removed from the single wire and that single wire can be connected to the switch directly. The three colored wires would connect on the opposite side in the order you want.