4 Way Switch Terminals and design
The 4-way switch comes with 5 terminals that are used at the time of the wiring process. On top left and right terminals are used for making power supply connections. The left side lower terminal is the ground point. The 3-way switches connected at input and output terminals and traveler terminals connect with other 4-way switches of the circuit. The 4-way switch works as an instant switch and helps to control light at different points.
How a 4-Way Switch Works
The standard switch provides power to light through one white wire and one black wire. The light switches interrupt the hot or black wire that is connected to the power supply and light when the switch is off. The white wire is not interrupted from supply to the light fixture and bare ground wires move from the light and switch to the point where the source is grounded.
The four-way switch is connected to more wire as compared to the standard switch. 4 wires connected with 4-way switches with three-way switches. Wires are called traveler wires and if any switches are on, these wires can or not carry current based on the switch’s position.
Four-way Switch Wiring Diagram
Here you can see the 4-way light switch wiring diagram.
How to Wire 4-Way Switches, Step by Step
Components Needed
- Wire nuts
- Screwdriver
- Voltage tester
- Insulated glovesÂ
- Wire stripper
- Utility knife
- Lineman pliers
How to Wire?
Follow these steps for 4-way switch wiring
- First of all, turn off the power supply at the breaker or fuse box. With the use of a voltage tester check power is off before moving forward.
- Find the 2, three-way switches that are used with a 4-way switch. The 3-way switches come with 3 points one common and two traveler.
- Make the connection of the power supply with the common point of the first 3-way switch. Connect 2 traveler wires from the first 3-way switch to the 4-way switch.
- In four four-way switches, there are 4 terminals. Make the connection of two traveler wires from the first 3-way switch with input terminals on 4 4-way switch. Another pair of traveler wires from outputs connect with a 4-way switch to traveler points on the 2nd three-way switch.
- Make a connection of the common point of 2nd three three-way switches with the light. The grounding process is completed through the connection of all ground wires and ground terminals on single switches.
- After making all connections on the supply for checking that switch is working well.
4-Way Switch Wiring Diagram – Control at three Point
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The 4-way switch comes with 4 terminals each having two pairs of travelers. The 3-switch combination comes with two 3-way switches one on each side and a 4-way switch connected in the midpoint.
Here different circuit combinations of 4-way switch wiring are shown where switch 1 pair of traveler terminals connected at upper or lower pair of traveler on switch 2.
The 2nd pair of 2 travelers connected the traveler terminals of switch 3.
Common terminals of switch 3 is connected with lights or loads.
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Here you can see the writing of 4-way toggle switches
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In this diagram, we used a 4-way decora switch for the wiring process with a combination of 3 switches
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Above we discussed the 4-way switch wiring with the use of 3 switches now we will make circuits with the use 4 switches
The switch 1 common point is connected with line voltage.
Traveler terminals pairs of switch 1 connected to the top or lower pair of traveler points on switch 2.
Other pairs for switch 2 traveler connected with traveler point of switch 3 and remaining pairs of switch 3 traveler connected with traveler point of switch 4.
Switch 4 common terminals connected with load.
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How many 4-way switches can be installed between a set of 3-way switches?
Which wires are hot on a 4-way switch?
- Red wires are hot
- Green is neutral
- Blue wires are connected neither with 120 volts nor neutral.
Where to install a 4-way switch?
- The 4-way switches are connected at a circuit between two separate 3-way switches. The power given to the first three-way switch box is common and other combination exists. Before starting your project decide the location of your circuit according to requirements.
Can you use a 4-way switch for a single light?
- We can use 4-way switches in 3-way, single-pole combinations.
How to tell the difference between a 3-way and a 4-way switch?
- The 3-way switch is used for controlling single light at two different points and comes with a ground screw, one black common screw, and two brass traveler screws.
- When used with two 3-way switches, the 4-way switch controls light from 3 or more points.
When should you use a 4 way switch?
- The four-way switch is used when we have three or more points that can control one or more lights. It is wired between a pair of three-way switches, and if we have more than three switches, we use a pair of three-way switches and other switches.
Does a 4-way switch need a neutral?
- There is no need of a neutral wire for a 4 way switch. It needed traveler wires and common wires to work well.
Can we wire a 3-way to a 4-way switch?
- Yes, it is possible to wire 3 way switch to a four-way switch but needed an accurate wring process. The 3-way switch is connected at one point of the circuit, the four-way switch is connected in the midpoint, and at the other point three-way switch is connected.
Is a 4-way switch a double pole switch?
- No four-way switch is not a double pole switch. The double pole switch comes with two separate circuits and has features for controlling two separate loads. The four-way switch is used for controlling a single load at different points.
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