4 way switch

[Geno]

The self help section shows how to wire 1 light from 3 switch locations. They use a 3-way switch to 4-way switch to 3-way switch chain. If anyone can tell me how to wire 1 light from 4 switch locations, it would be a terrific help. Is it as simple as wiring another 3-way switch into the chain the same way?

[Speedy Petey]

You can add as many 4-ways as you want, wired the same as the other 4-way. The 4 screws on the 4-way get the two sets of travelers and the common passes through.
The bottom line is a 3-way at each "end" of the switch setup and as many 4-ways as you want in the middle.

[dkerr]

http://www.homewiringandmore.com/switchoutlet/4way/4wayscrews.html

May give a little insight at this link.

As speedy mentioned , you can have as many 4 way switches in the circuit as you like, but must have a 3 way at the ends. One of the 3 ways MUST have the circuit power supply hot on its common screw, and the other 3 way MUST have the swicthed power hot feed to the fixture.

I am working on a new series of articles to be added to our site in January or February that will feature switch wiring senereos with 4 to 5 switches in the circuit.

Don

[Speedy Petey]

By dkerr. but must have a 3 way at the ends. One of the 3 ways MUST have the circuit power supply hot on its common screw, and the other 3 way MUST have the switched power hot feed to the fixture.




Don, A note of clarification. This statement makes it seem the wires actually have to be at these locations. While electrically true physically you can have the hot and SL at any location.

[6pack]

Speedy when you say any location(physically) you also have to take into account your neutral which would changes the thinking, as I see it. I see it as a catch 22 if that were the case. What you think? :confused:

[Speedy Petey]

Consider it this way. At the point the feed comes in, let's say at a 4-way, The hot would go to one white conductor to send the power to the common of the 3-way at that end. The neutral would go to the other white, to send the neutral to the load. This is keeping in mind I always use black and red as travelers. I don't change colors of travelers, common can be black or white.

[6pack]

Why the angry post note?? Again a catch 22, now if the device or light (load) is located at furthest 3way, we have to get the neutral there. I know what were both saying, but the simplest way to explain to DY, "must" have as stated.

[Speedy Petey]

First off I am very sorry for the frowney! I really don't know how that got there. I must have unknowingly hit that radio button.

Second. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and all!!



Ahhhhh.I do forget sometimes who we are talking to, I must say. I know I can wire a 3/4 way in any configuration but I know even alot of electricians who have a hard time.
Absolutely the easiest way to wire any 3/4 way is the have the feed on one end and the SL at the other. If at all possible I even try to do it this way. I got confused when Don said you"must" do it this way. Don, I'm sorry for any confusion.


Again, MERRY CHRISTAMS to all. :D :D :D

* I got the right smily that time*