If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch youll have no issues with a 4 way switch. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article.
Multiway Switching Wikipedia
4 way wiring diagram. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. They all must be between the two 3 way switches. One ground and 4 circuit terminals divided into two matching pairs called travelers. Power from light fixture to light switch. This diagram is a thumbnail. Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention.
4 way switch wiring with light first. 4 way switch wring diagram. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. A 4 way switch has five terminals. 4 way switch wiring diagrams this 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.
These two wires are the travelers to the 4 way switch. When wiring in the 4 way switch it is most simply described as simply cutting the two traveler wires the two wires that go between the two 3 way switches and terminate on each switch and putting two wires from one switch on the top two terminals of the 4 way switch while putting the other two wires from the other switch on the bottom two terminals. You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page. Basic 4 way switch wiring diagram. The third wire the red will not be switched at the 4 way location but passes to the final 3 way 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. 4 way flat molded connectors allow basic hookup for three lighting functions. A 4 way switch is always placed in between two 3 way switches. Note that a 3 conductor cable is often used for connecting 3 way and 4 way switches to each other containing black white and red conductors. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit.
The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. Right turn signal stop light green left turn signal stop light yellow taillight license side marker brown and a ground white. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Trailer wiring diagrams 4 way systems. Click here to access. In general practice the diagram above is most often used and is a good guide for wiring a new 4 way switch circuit.
Below is another method for wiring 4 way switches. The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. More 4 way switch wiring diagrams four way switch wiring schematic. 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.
Gallery of 4 Way Wiring Diagram
