As you will see most 4 way switch wiring is placed between the wiring of two 3 way switches therefore a 4way switch is installed with two 3way switches. To illustrate the 4 way switch wiring switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application.
Leviton 20 Amp 4 Way Preferred Toggle Switch White
3 way 4 way switch wiring. 4 way switch wiring. A 4 way switch has two positions. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage. In this basic 4 way light circuit 3 wire cable runs between all the switches and 2 wire cable runs from the last switch to the light. A 4 way switch is always placed in between two 3 way switches. 2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the 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. They all must be between the two 3 way switches. Fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. 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.
If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch youll have no issues with a 4 way switch. 3 way switch diagram. At the light the black hot wire will pass right through going to the first switch. In the first position the contacts are connected straight through so that the switch has no effect. The circuit neutral is spliced at each switch box through to the light fixture using the white wire. 4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations.
Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention. At the lights the hot source is spliced to the black wire running between lights it does not connect to the lights. At the light the black hot wire will pass right through going to the first switch. The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. 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. For more than two switches one or more 4 way switches are added between the 3 way switches.
The electrical wiring adds additional wiring to the same principles of 3 way switching. 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. 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 Wiring
