4 Way Light Switch Wiring Diagram

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.

4 way light switch wiring diagram.
The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations.
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 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way 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.
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.
To switch from three or more locations you will need to add 4 way switches.

The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added.
Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
How to wire a 4 way switch.

Click here to access note.
This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.
If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches.

The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch.
A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first 3 way switch and the first 4 way switch.
To view it at full size click on the diagram.

In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box.
Typical 4 way switch wiring nm cable.
Power from light fixture to light switch.

Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches.
A 3 way switch has three screws plus the green grounding screw.
4 way switch wiring with light first.

The most important screw is the black one continuous hot and light feed wire goes on black screw traveler wires go on the brass screws 143 with ground or 123 with ground wire best to use between switches watch all videos below for.
4 way switch wiring 4 way switches provide switching from three or more locations.
For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article.