A 4 way switch is always placed in between two 3 way switches. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage.
Wiring Diagram For 3 Way Switch Two Lights
3 and 4 way switch wiring diagram. Wiring a 3 way light switch. If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches. 3 way switch wiring diagram with line and load in the same switch box. While the physical location of the 4 way switch may be anywhere the electrical location of the switch is always between the two 3 way switches. Here 3 wire cable runs between l1 and l2 2 wire cable runs from the last light to sw1 and more 3 wire cable runs from sw1 to the 4 way switch and then to sw2. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch.
If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch youll have no issues with a 4 way switch. They all must be between the two 3 way switches. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. An example of three way switch wiring with the line and load in the same 4 square electrical box. The other pair of the second switch 4 way travelers connect to one pair of the third switch 4 way travelers. Power from light fixture to light switch.
4 way switch wring diagram. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. Below is another method for wiring 4 way switches. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. More 4 way switch wiring diagrams four way switch wiring schematic.
The electrical switch box that contains the line and load wires may need to be bigger than the other switch boxes especially if there are other wires going into the switch box. The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. This 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.
With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. 4 way switch wiring with light first. The white wire must be re identified as a hot wire at each switch location. The white wire between switches is not being used as a neutral. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit.
The first switch 3 way travelers brass color connect to one pair of the second switch 4 way travelers black or brass color. At the lights the hot source is spliced to the black wire running between lights it does not connect to the lights. Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention.