How To Wire A 4 Way Light Switch

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How to wire a 4 way light 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. First of all we need to go over a little basic terminology on switches. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles. How to wire a 4 way switch.

The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added. And adding a four way switch to the mix can make an already difficult job even more confusing. Bare or green ground wires are spliced together with a pigtail or two and then connected to the metal switch box with a 10 32 machine screw and to the green screw on the switch. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches.

The new switch has 4 terminals two on either side top and bottom. Power from light fixture to light switch. If a light switch fails to function you should replace it. Wiring a three way switch circuit is one of the more complex electrical jobs that a homeowner can attempt.

The source neutral wire is connected directly to the light fixture and the hot is. While the physical location of the 4 way switch may be anywhere the electrical location of the switch is always between the two 3 way switches. Study the 4 way switch and the manufacturer s directions. Free quick start guide here.

This allows you to control a load from other locations in addition to the 2 locations that a 3 way circuit provides. Sometimes the switch wiring connection diagram is printed on the inside of the 4 way switch packaging box see example below. How to wire four way and three way switches with helpful wiring diagrams. The key to 4 way switch wiring.

How to wire a 4 way switch. More about wiring a 4way switch. To replace a four way switch follow these steps. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram.

This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after. When the switch is operated current will either travel straight through or crisscross. Wiring a 4 way switch is simply adding a switch to an already existing 3 way switch circuit. Wiring four way and three way switches.

4 way switch wiring with light first. If the switch doesn t have the words on and off embossed on its body and it s the center switch of three switches that control a single light or receptacle it s a four way switch. I bought a new switch.