While wiring a 3 way switch is good enough for a staircase or hallway wiring a four way switch is crucial for the addition of a third forth or more switches. Power from light fixture to light switch.
Handymanwire Wiring A 3 Way Or 4 Way Switch
How to wire a four way light switch diagram. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. How to wire a 4 way switch. Click here to access note. Wiring four way and three way switches. In this diagram power enters the fixture box. 4 way switch wiring comes in real handy when you would like to control a light fixture from more than two locations.
Wiring a 4 way switch with light at the end. This diagram is a thumbnail. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch. Then connect the black wire coming from the fixture to the black wire going to the first 3 way switch.
The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. This 3 way light switch wiring diagram shows how to do the light switch wiring and the light when the power is coming to the light fixture. Next connect the white wire coming into the box to the white wire on the fixture. To view it at full size click on the diagram. 3 way switch wire diagram power to light fixture. To wire a 4 way switch start by turning off the circuit breaker for the room youre working in.
How to wire four way and three way switches with helpful wiring diagrams. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. The key to 4 way switch wiring. More about wiring a 4way switch. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch. A typical four way switch wiring diagram.
The new switch has 4 terminals two on either side top and bottom. The 4 ways are in between. 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. The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. I bought a new switch. The load wire is in one 3 way switch box and the line from the power source is in the other 3 way switch box.
This is an updated version of the first arrangement. My old 4 way light switch broke. The black hot wire connects to the far right switchs common terminal.