It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects.
Multiway Switching Wikipedia
4 way light switch circuit diagram. To view it at full size click on the diagram. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after. 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. This allows you to control a load from other locations in addition to the 2 locations that a 3 way circuit provides. 4 way switch configurations are used to control lights with three or more switchesa 3 way switch is used on each end with one or more 4 way switches in between the two 3 way switchesthey do not have an onoff position like single pole switches.
A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. 3 way switched outlet wiring. Look for 4 way switch wiring diagram or step how to wire a four way light switch electrical circuit a 4 way switch is a double pole double throw dpdt switch. First of all we need to go over a little basic terminology on switches. Power from light fixture to light switch. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article.
Shown above is an animation of a circuit using three switches to control a light. Three wire cable runs between the switches and the outlet. Click here to access note. If more than three switches are needed simply place more 4 way switches between the three way switches. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. How to wire a 4 way switch.
The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. The center switch is 4 way switch while the outer two switches are 3 way. This circuit is wired the same way as the 3 way lights at this link. The switch can be used to control the electricity supplying lights from three locations. This diagram is a thumbnail. It has 4 terminals or poles and consists of two 3 way switches that are modified.
In this diagram two 3 way switches control a wall receptacle outlet that may be used to control a lamp from two entrances to a room. 4 way switch wiring with light first. 4 way switch wiring 4 way switches provide switching from three or more locations. For a discussion of how to wire such circuits see 3 way and 4 way light switches. Wiring a 4 way switch is simply adding a switch to an already existing 3 way switch circuit. That page and its links also discuss proper wire colors and several wiring alternatives.
Gallery of 4 Way Light Switch Circuit Diagram
