In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects.
Yt 0618 Way Switch Multiple Lights Wiring Diagram 4 Way
4 way switch wiring diagram power at switch. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. Power from light fixture to light switch. Click here to access note. 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. The red and black wires are connected to the four way switches.
To view it at full size click on the diagram. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. Follow the switch manufacturers instructions and wiring diagram as the connections on the switch vary by manufacturer. 4 way switch wiring with light first. Attach the black wire and white marked with blue wire going out of the box to the next switch to the bottom poles of the 3 way switch. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first 3 way switch and the first 4 way switch. Sometimes the switch wiring connection diagram is printed on the inside of the 4 way switch packaging box see example below. 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. These two wires are the travelers to the 4 way switch. A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. The third wire the red will not be switched at the 4 way location but passes to the final 3 way switch.
4 way light switch with power feed via the light this circuit diagram shows wiring for a 4 way circuit with the power source at the light fixture and the switches following. This diagram is a thumbnail. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article. 4 way switches have four terminals each with two pairs of travelers one set usually black and one set usually brass color. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. Conventional 4 way switch wiring. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Typical 4 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.