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. You can see me operate all four switches in the video below.
The last house i built for my family in amberley village ohio had four switches in the kitchen controlling a few lights.
Four way circuit.
Fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. If you only need two switches leave out both the 4 way switches. The electrical source is at the first 3 way switch and the hot wire connects to the common there. To wire a 4 way switch start by turning off the circuit breaker for the room you re working in. This article and detailed wiring diagram outlines the steps to wiring a 4 way switch. When do you need a 4 way switch.
The 4 way circuit is used when you want to control the light or lights from three or more locations. The wire connections do not have to be removed. Each set of terminals is one of the toggle positions. The electrical wiring adds additional wiring to the same principles of 3 way switching. Then connect the black wire coming from the fixture to the black wire going to the first 3 way switch. 4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations.
Actual toggle position can vary with make and model. Fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. The other one is an indication of the light stage. You can also add as many 4 way switches as you like in place of any one shown in the circuits that follow. After that connect the black wire from the fixture to a red or white wire leading out of the box to the first. Remove all of the switches so you can access the switch terminals.
4 way switch diagram summary. Using a continuity tester check continuity between terminals as shown. Four way switches are used in combination with three way switches. Here is an example of a light in the middle of the run. The circuit neutral is spliced at each switch box through to the light fixture using the white wire. Here are another couple of variations of 3 and 4 way switch circuits.
The first one is the timing and counting stages. They all must be between the two 3 way switches. The electrical wiring adds additional wiring to the same principles of 3 way switching. 4 way switches are a convenient way to operate lighting fixtures from three or more locations. There are four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions on a four way switch. If you understand the logic behind the 3 way circuit the 4 way will not seem that difficult.
Four way switches are used to control lighting from three or more locations. Test a 4 way switchturn off power to the switches at the circuit breaker and using a tester make sure power is off. All the 4 way switches are optional. How to wire a 4way switch. Notice the pattern is very similar but the color code is a. The indication of the light stage should be properly placed on four lanes.
You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit. Next connect the white wire coming into the box to the white wire on the fixture. The four way traffic light circuit consists of two stages. How to wire a switch wiring a light switch diagram 1.