I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.
Rewiring A Telecaster With A Four Way Switch Hot Bottles
Four way switch wiring diagram. 4 way switch wiring with light first. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. 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. In general practice the diagram above is most often used and is a good guide for wiring a new 4 way switch circuit. This diagram is a thumbnail.
A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 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. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. Below is another method for wiring 4 way switches. To view it at full size click on the diagram.
For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article. This 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. Click here to access note.