Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. A green or bare wire is the grounding wire, and it should be attached to a ground pole of each switch, usually a green screw, and to each box when using a metal box. Leave 8–10 inches (20.3–25.4 cm) of wire inside each of the boxes before cutting the cable to facilitate easy splicing and connection to the switch and fixture. Use pliers to twist the exposed ends of the two black wires together. Click each additional switch to make sure each switch can independently turn the light on and off. Not all 3-way switches are designed the same way. Find the wires connected to the two traveler terminals. The user of this information is responsible for following all applicable regulations and best practices when performing electrical work. Then a 4-wire cable going between the two 3-way switches and then a 3-wire cable going from the switches to the load. After that, connect the black wire from the fixture to a red or white wire leading out of the box to the first 3-way switch. If you find travelers using white wires, use colored tape to mark each one in each junction box or device box where you find it, so that it will not be incorrectly viewed as a neutral wire. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. IMPORTANT: As you will see, most 4-way switch wiring is placed between the wiring of two 3-way switches, therefore a 4way switch is installed with two 3way switches. This white wire is wrapped with black tape to mark it as hot. One note about this procedure, if you are dealing with a smart electronic switch or timer, the internal circuitry can not be tested in this way. Remove all wires from the 4-way switch and cap both red wires with wire nuts. % of people told us that this article helped them. 1. All the 4-way switches are optional. Whether "on" is up or down is determined by the positions of the other switches at that moment. A three-way switch is fundamentally different in its operation from a regular two-way switch. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Check to be sure the traveler wires only connect between the traveler terminals on all the switches. Then, connect the black wire coming from the fixture to the black wire going to the first 3-way switch. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram? If the device is still lit up or working, the wrong breaker was opened. Currently loaded videos are 1 through 15 of 36 total videos. Other installers prefer to use two-wire cables from each switch to the next, purely for the travelers, and to run the hot or switched hot a different route to and from the fixture. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The neutral from the source is connected to each light fixture with a pigtail and to the neutral running to the next light. Then tie the 2 black wires along with the black "Line" wire on the iDevices Dimmer Switch together with a wire nut. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. To learn how to integrate your new 4-way switch with your existing 3-way switches, read on! I wanted to buy a single-pole switch of a specific color. Note that a 3-conductor cable is often used for connecting 3-way and 4-way switches to each other, containing black, white and red conductors. Only the black/line/hot wire is going to be switched. How to Read These Diagrams. 4. 3. This is not as complicated as it sounds, but when working with electrical wiring, you will want to know how to wire a 4-way switch easily and safely. The most likely cause of circuit failure is an error in the wiring arrangement. 4-way switch configurations are used to control lights with three or more switches.A 3-way switch is used on each end with one or more 4-way switches in between the two 3-way switches.They do not have an on/off position like single pole switches. When the correct breaker is off, the signal stops. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Turn the light/device on and off with one switch, then off and on with the next, then off and on with the last. Is it possible to wire a 4-way switch when the fixture is in the middle? If, however, you don't find any continuity or constant continuity no matter where the probe is or how you flip the toggle, the switch is likely defective and should be replaced. Wiring a 4-Way Switch A 4-way switch is used when you need 3 or more switched to control the same fixture. Right now the power source is at the first 3 way switch and 14/3 runs to the fixture then from fixture to second 3 way. There are also inexpensive "search" devices that plug into a receptacle and generates a signal that can be detected at a specific circuit breaker, using the matching detector. Here 3-wire cable runs between L1 and L2, 2-wire cable runs from the last light to SW1, and more 3-wire cable runs from SW1 to the 4 way switch and then to SW2. The two terminals at T2 connect to the black and red travelers running to SW2. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Many electricians use electrical tape to make a final wrap or two around each switch to cover the screw terminals prior to installing the switches into their boxes. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page. If it lights up, you did not identify the correct circuit breaker and need to return to the circuit breaker box and start over. It is used for carrying the power from the far-end of the final 3-way switch back to the light/device being switched. This third wire is necessary for 3-way switch installations. Each 3-way switch in these examples are controlling the power source to the same load. It's easier than you might think. Test the other posts to see which one has continuity and which does not. I will show how to wire 3 switches, however you can add as many 4 way switches to the circuit as you need or want. and goes through the 3-way to the black wire going to the 4-way. A 4 way switch has five terminals: one ground and 4 circuit terminals divided into two matching pairs called travelers. Check that the neutral from the source is only connected to the neutral terminal at the load. More lights can be added to this circuit by duplicating the wiring shown here for each additional fixture. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 124,099 times. Connect the white wire on the iDevices Dimmer Switch to the neutral wire (usually white) in the gang box and cap with a wire nut. Which wires are the travelers may vary if the 3-way switches are connected to each other by way of wiring within the fixture ("fixture between") or if they are connected directly to each other and then to a fixture (known as "fixture beyond"). OPTION #1: Power from light fixture to light switch Such color coding is shown in the following example: Other variations. These two wires are the "travelers" to the 4-way switch. Complete the connection by screwing a properly sized wire nut onto the joint tightly. To switch from three or more locations, you will need to add 4-way switches. Identify the circuit breaker that controls electricity in the area where you will be working. There are many ways to wire a 3-way switch. When wiring a 3-way switch circuit, we will be using a 3-wire cable known as romex coming from the source (such as the breaker box). Use needle-nosed pliers to form a loop in the stripped wire. https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/lighting/how-to-replace-a-light-switch/, https://www.easy-do-it-yourself-home-improvements.com/4-way-switch-wiring-diagram.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wknz-Beb268, http://www.handymanusa.com/articles/3wayswitch.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Use a continuity tester or multimeter on the Ohms setting to determine if it's conducting electricity properly. When you want to switch electrical devices (lights or other outlets) on or off from two locations, you use a pair of 3-way switches. 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. Four way switch wiring instructions inside the switch packaging Make no assumptions that "the power is off" until you have proven that it is off in those specific wires. All you have to do is use two posts of your 4-way switch that alternate continuity when you flip the switch. At L2 this white wire connects directly to the neutral terminal on the light fixture. Calculate total conductors allowed in a box before adding new wiring, etc. With the power off and the device removed from the outlet box, check that all connections are still tight using a screwdriver. Move one probe to the other terminal in its pair and test again for the same results. Complete the connection by wrapping the loop 3/4 of the way around the screw terminal and tightening the screw to hold the loop flat against the terminal. At each light it's connected to the neutral terminal with a pigtail and at the last light, directly to the fixture neutral. If the switches have "back-wiring slots", as well as screw terminals, avoid using the back-wiring because it may be less reliable in the long run than the screw terminals. To test a 3 way switch, connect one meter probe to the common terminal and the other to one of the travelers. [1] X Research source Turn on the light or device being controlled by the 3-way switches, if you already have them installed. If you are adding more 4-way switches, repeat these steps with the two 3-conductor cables entering each 4-way switch location from the adjacent switches. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Run a new 3-wire cable to the desired box location in the house. First page loaded, no previous page available. This article describes the configuration for feeding the fixture with power and having the 3-way and 4-way switches lined up beyond the fixture. Does it have continuity now? How do I make sure my 4-way switch actually controls everything correctly? This diagram illustrates another multiple light circuit controlled by 3 way switches. That's all a regular switch is doing, breaking the continuity between your source power and your load. This is intended to reduce the risk of accidentally shorting things to the terminals. If you find no continuity or constant continuity in any of the possible arrangements when you flip the toggle, the switch is likely defective. They don't connect to the light fixtures at any point. At SW1 the red and white wires from the 3-wire cable running between the switches function as the travelers with the white marked for hot using black tape or paint. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit. Click the next switch to turn off the light. Do not assume you understand the existing fixture or switch wiring unless you have studied it carefully and can document the function of each wire. When wiring a 3-way switch, first screw the terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. At the last fixture it is spliced to the black wire running to the common on SW1. If there are more than 2 lights, the red is pigtailed to the fixture hot and to the red wire running on to the next light. If you have a multimeter, use the continuity setting. A neutral wire will never be connected to standard 3 way and 4 way switches, although some smart switches and timers may make use of a neutral wire to operate the device. 4 Way Switch Wiring 4 Way Switch Wiring Fully explained 4 way switch diagrams. The wiring connections on 4-way switches varies between manufacturers. You can add any number of 4-way switches to this circuit as long as you install only 4-way switches "between" the travelers of two 3-way switches. At the last light the source neutral is connected directly to the fixture neutral terminal. Move the second probe to the other terminal in its pair and test both arrangements again. In any case, as long as you realize that only the two "travelers" between 3-ways are switched by the 4-way, you should be able to figure out the rest. Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. This red wire is the one that will supply power to the light after traveling through all of the switches. A 4-way switch is always placed in between two 3-way switches. Turn off that circuit breaker. Turn the Power Off at Circuit Breaker. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit. Here are another couple of variations of 3- and 4-way switch circuits. The black (line) wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3-way switch. Check local regulations for restrictions and permit requirements before beginning electrical work. This might seem intimidating, but it does not have to be. Flip the switch toggle and check that you find continuity in one direction but not the other. 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.. With a pair of 3-way switches, either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. The third wire (the red) will not be switched at the 4-way location, but passes to the final 3-way switch. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Also, confirm that each pair of travelers on a 4 way are only connected to one switch per pair. Turn off electric power. You may add a 4-way to two 3-ways, if they are already installed. The travelers from one 3 way can be wired to either terminal in a pair, but don't mix up the pairs on the 4 way or the circuit won't work properly. The white/neutral connects directly to the light/device. Do not nick or skin the wires anywhere other than at the ends being connected. Avoid using any white wires for anything other than "neutral" unless you have marked both ends of it with a distinctive color (e.g., black, red, blue). Put one lead of the multimeter on this post. If using metal boxes and plastic-sheathed cables or metallic-sheathed cables, proper clamps must be used where each cable enters or exits the box. Other bottom wire from 3 way going to top of 4 way switch. Or these terminals can be ignored for non-backlit switch banks. Each 3-way switch has a "common" terminal and two traveler terminals. By code, the number of conductors allowed in a box are limited depending on box size and wire gauge. The white traveler wire is wrapped with black tape to mark it as hot. Locate the circuit breaker box. The black and red wires running between the switches serve as the travelers for the circuit. If the meter shows continuity with the toggle in one direction and not the other, move the probe from that traveler terminal to the other one and test again. You can have an indefinite number of 4-way switches in a circuit. Note that some jurisdictions now require a neutral wire at each switch location, due to modern changes in switching technology that may require a neutral for a complete circuit, such as "smart switches". 4-Way Switch Wring Diagram. 4 Way Switch Wiring 4-Way Switches provide switching from three or more locations. Repeat this wire connection process at each switch connection. Now the power source (black) is coming in from the left. A 3-wire cable runs between SW1 and SW2. At the 4 way the travelers from SW1 connect to the two terminals at T1. Some local codes may not allow the use of non-metallic-sheathed cables other than in single-family dwellings. Just make sure the traveler wires are not connected to the common pole of the switch. With 4-way switches you must read the manufacturer’s instructions or wiring diagram. The white conductors should be marked to identify their function as travelers (e.g., the white with a blue tape marking). At the lights the hot source is spliced to the black wire running between lights, it does not connect to the lights. Check below for more details about these circuits and some troubleshooting tips. If you find alternating continuity when you flip the toggle in all possible arrangements, your switch is probably working properly. If changing any switch (up or down) does not turn the light/device on or off, regardless of the settings of the others, turn off the breaker and re-check your wiring. Connect another black wire from the light to the original switch location. If you understand how to wire a 3-way switch, you'll have no issues with a 4-way switch. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 NEC update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes, a 3-wire cable runs between the light and switch. … A 4 way switch will only be connected to traveler wires, never to a hot source or load wire and never to a neutral wire. In this video I will show you how to wire a three way switch the easy way. There will also be a "grounding" terminal on the switch, which is connected to the bare grounding wires (or to a metallic junction box, if you have one) for additional safety. Each installation is different. of bare wire. The electrical theory is the same, although the selection of colors for the travelers and the switched "hot" is different. Now flip the switch. Need to install or replace a 3-way light switch in your home? If you are upgrading two 3-way switches, be sure to test for voltage at each switch and each switched fixture before touching anything. When wiring a 4 way switch circuit as shown below, you will use two 3-way switches and one 4-way switch. When you’re done with all the wiring, wrap any exposed wires with electrical tape and turn the electricity back on. In order for a 4 way circuit to work, the 3 way switches must be wired properly at the beginning and end of the path. Sometimes there is only a switch wiring diagram printed on the inside of the 4-way switch package box. Here the source is at the first switch, SW1, and 3-wire cable runs from there to the first light, L1. Once you pick which one matches yours, you just replace the diagram with 2 lights instead of one light. Wiring a 3-Way Light Switch. The wiring diagram to the right will show how to wire and power this 12V 20AMP (ON)-OFF-(ON) 3 way Carling Contura rocker switch. They all must be between the two 3-way switches. Some electricians use colors to identify travelers, because white may only be used for a neutral, unless it has been properly identified with another color (e.g., black, red, blue, yellow -- but NOT green). Turn off the power and remove the switch from the circuit by disconnecting the wires. Two terminal/poles are labeled "in," and two are labeled "out.". Here the source and the fixtures come before the switches. This article has been viewed 124,099 times. With 2 lights, it is spliced with the white wire running to the switches. If you wanted to add a fourth switch to the circuit you would need another 4-way switch wired in the middle in the same way as the first 4-way switch. Diagram shows top travel wire on 3 way switch going to bottom of 4 way. 2. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. It is the installer's choice whether to use the red wire or "white" wire (identified with blue or other color) as a traveler. The video uses a different technique to "carry" the white wire, as neutral, through each junction box, all the way to the remote light. Let us show you how. Watch the 4-Way Switch video below and pay attention. Load Next Page. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Instead of running a separate pigtail from the hot wire to each switch, just leave the hot wire extra long. This article has been viewed 124,099 times. Some 4-way switches may have the "in" and "out" pairs opposite each other, rather than top and bottom. Stop if you see that the existing wiring is aluminum; only professionals can deal with the problems and risks in aluminum wiring. When working with electricity, have first aid instructions and protocols handy. Note that this black wire will always be "hot", regardless of the switch settings. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer, remote control, or other programmable switch. At the beginning of the circuit the hot source is connected to the common terminal on SW1. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. To test a 4 way switch, connect one probe to one traveler terminal in a pair and the other probe to one traveler terminal in the other pair. The 4-way switch may be placed anywhere in the system. After you have turned off the circuit breaker, cover the switch with a strip of electric tape, so no one in the household is tempted to turn the breaker back on without your permission. Yes, certainly. In these cases, you can test the internal functionality with a simple procedure. Next, connect the white wire coming into the box to the white wire on the fixture. Here 3-wire cable runs between L1 and L2, 2-wire cable runs from the last light to SW1, and more 3-wire cable runs from SW1 to the 4 way switch and then to SW2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Wire-a-4-Way-Switch-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Wire-a-4-Way-Switch-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Wire-a-4-Way-Switch-Step-1.jpg\/aid1447634-v4-728px-Wire-a-4-Way-Switch-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"