How 3 way and 4 way switch circuits work controlling a light with two or more switches. At the light the black hot wire will pass right through going to the first switch.
Leviton 20 Amp 4 Way Preferred Toggle Switch White
3 way 4 way switch. Starting with safety and understanding 1. One ground and 4 circuit terminals divided into two matching pairs called travelers. The 4 way switch is on the basement level and there is a 3 way switch in the entry and at the top of the steps on the main floor. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page. For more than two switches one or more 4 way switches are added.
This page describes how to use 3 way and 4 way switches to control lights. A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. The first switch 3 way travelers brass color connect to one pair of the second switch 4 way travelers black or brass color. A 4 way switch has five terminals. 3 way switches and 4 way switches controlling a light or lights with two or more switches these pages describe how to use 3 way and 4 way switches to control lights from two or more locations. Trace your finger over the wires as shown on the screen and you can see this more clearly.
In case of a 3 way switch you can control the lights from two different places. If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch youll have no issues with a 4 way switch. Turn off electric power. Controlling a light with three or more switches. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit. Return to location you plan to wire to verify that there is no electric flow to that device.
Turn on the light or device being controlled by the 3 way switches if you already have them. With 4 way switches you can control them from three places. A 4 way switch is always placed in between two 3 way switches. I would have to double check but im 90 certain the power is supplied at the entry level switch or it could be powered at the light. You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit. Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention.
If the device is still. There is a pathway for the electricity through the four way switch but that pathway ends at one of the three way switches. For 4 way switch wiring you will need two 3 way switches one at each end and then as many 4 way switches as you want in between. There is one basic difference between the 3 way switch and the 4 way switch and that is the number of terminals in the switch. Any number of four way switches may be added between two three way switches. 2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches.
Gallery of 3 Way 4 Way Switch
