A 4 way switch has five terminals. 3 way switch diagrams for multiple light fixtures.
How To Wire A 4 Way Switch
Wiring a 4 way switch with two lights. Buy a single pole switch if one switch controls the lights or a three way if you have two switches controlling the same lights. 4 way switch wiring with four switches. The two 4 ways are located between the two 3 ways and the traveler wires run from sw1 to t1 on the first 4 way. The electrical wiring adds additional wiring to the same principles of 3 way switching. This circuit diagram shows wiring for a 4 way circuit with the power source at the light fixture and the switches following. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit.
First of all we need to go over a little basic terminology on switches. 4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations. T2 from that switch is wired to t1 on the second 4way and t2 connects to the travelers on sw2. Standard and halogen bulbs require standard incandescent dimmers. 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. One ground and 4 circuit terminals divided into two matching pairs called travelers.
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. Wiring a 4 way switch is simply adding a switch to an already existing 3 way switch circuit. This allows you to control a load from other locations in addition to the 2 locations that a 3 way circuit provides. Two terminalpoles are labeled in and two are labeled out pairs of wires called travelers will connect to each side. A few fluorescent lights can be dimmed with special dimmer switches but most cant. 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. A two wire cable c2 is run from the light to the first switch sw1 and a 3 wire cable runs between all the switches. Study the 4 way switch and the manufacturers directions. It is true that there are several wiring configurations for wiring 3 way light switches and all of the wiring configurations will depend on where the incoming circuit power is located and once that is identified the rest of the three way wiring connections are straight forward. Low voltage lights may also require special dimmers. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles.
Wiring a 3 way light switch. Here two 4 way and two 3 way switches are used to control lights from four different locations. More about wiring 4 way light switches. How to wire a 4 way switch. 4 way switch wiring 4 way switch wiring fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page.
It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace.
Gallery of Wiring A 4 Way Switch With Two Lights
