To illustrate the 4 way switch wiring switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application. 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.
Multiway Switching Wikipedia
3 way 4 way switch wiring. 2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches. A 4 way switch is always placed in between 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. At the light the black hot wire will pass right through going to the first switch. You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit. 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. For more than two switches one or more 4 way switches are added between the 3 way switches. They all must be between the two 3 way switches. A 4 way switch has two positions. 4 way switch wiring. At the lights the hot source is spliced to the black wire running between lights it does not connect to the lights.
4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations. 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. If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch youll have no issues with a 4 way switch. At the light the black hot wire will pass right through going to the first switch. The electrical wiring adds additional wiring to the same principles of 3 way switching. In the first position the contacts are connected straight through so that the switch has no effect.
The first switch 3 way travelers brass color connect to one pair of the second switch 4 way travelers black or brass color. The circuit neutral is spliced at each switch box through to the light fixture using the white wire. 2 wire cable runs from the light to the first switch and then 3 wire is run between all the switches. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage. 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. Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention.
The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. 3 way switch diagram. 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.
Gallery of 3 Way 4 Way Switch Wiring
