3 And 4 Way Switch Wiring Diagrams

Wires consisting of a line a load a neutral a pair of travelers and two 3 way switches.
3 and 4 way switch wiring diagrams. The third wire the red will not be switched at the 4 way location but passes to the final 3 way switch. Interested in a 4 way switch wiring diagram. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. They all must be between the two 3 way switches.
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. Pick the diagram that is most like the scenario you are in and see if you can wire your switch. The wiring diagrams on this page make use of one or more 4 way switches located between two 3 way switches to control lights from three or more points. In this circuit two light fixtures are shown but more can be added by duplicating the wiring arrangement between the fixtures for each additional light.
If you are trying to troubleshoot a 3 way switch operation then you will need to identify the function of each wire. Wiring a 3 way switch with multiple lights. Here the source is at the first switch sw1 and 3 wire cable runs from there to the first light l1. This might seem intimidating but it does not have to be.
This 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. You can have an indefinite number of 4 way switches in a circuit. If you understand how to wire a 3 way switch you ll have no issues with a 4 way switch. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut.
This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added. The travelers actually pass the electricity between the two 3 way switches as well as the 4 way switches shown in the 4 way switching wiring diagrams. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram.
A 4 way switch is always placed in between two 3 way switches. These two wires are the travelers to the 4 way switch. 4 way switch wring diagram. Wiring a 3 way light switch.
With these diagrams below it will take the guess work out of wiring. If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches. Watch the 4 way switch video below and pay attention. All three way switch and 2 way switch wiring diagrams have the same basic components.
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.