The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added.
How To Wire A 3 Way Light Switch Family Handyman
How to wire a 4 way light switch diagram. The diagram below will give you a good understanding how this circuit is wired. To add more locations to this circuit you just simply add additional 4 way switches in series with the existing 4 way switch. Also this example is just adding a single 4 way switch which will give you 3 locations to control your light. 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. Wiring a 4 way switch with light at the end.
This 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. 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. If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches. 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.
Power from light fixture to light switch. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects.