Typical 4 way switch wiring nm cable. This diagram is a thumbnail.
How To Wire Switches
4 way light switch wiring diagram. 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. 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. 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. 4 way switch wiring 4 way switches provide switching from three or more locations. Below is another method for wiring 4 way switches. To view it at full size click on the diagram.
Study the 4 way switch and the manufacturers directions. Wiring a 3 way light switch. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first 3 way switch and the first 4 way switch. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after. Two terminalpoles are labeled in and two are labeled out pairs of wires called travelers will connect to each side. Click here to access note.
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. The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article. If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles.
Power from light fixture to light switch. 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. 4 way switch wiring with light first. If more than three switches are needed simply place more 4 way switches between the three way switches. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace.
More 4 way switch wiring diagrams four way switch wiring schematic. When the switch is operated current will either travel straight through or crisscross. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. The source neutral wire is connected directly to the light fixture and the hot is. In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch.
Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects.
Gallery of 4 Way Light Switch Wiring Diagram
