Wiring 4-way switches?
Question:I have can lights swithed in 3 locations, 1st switch (3-way) has power, 2nd switch (4-way) to lights, 3rd switch (3-way). I'm having problems with the diagram. Can anyone help with this ?
Answers:
Certainly.
What is the question?
There are many sites that can explain the operation of the switches, so I'll explain the wiring with the switch setup you have, and maybe that will answer whatever your problem is. I'll use 14 gauge wire.
Between switches 1 and 2 and between switches 2 and 3 you'll have 14-3 wire. Switch 1 has power, so another 14-2 comes in there, and switch 2 goes to the lights so another 14-2 comes in there.
At switch 1, you have a 14-2 with power and 14-3 to the next switch. Connect black of the 14-2 to the common of the 3 way, black and red of the 14-3 to the travelers of the 3 way, and connect the whites together.
At switch 2, you have 14-2 to the lights and two 14-3's to other switches. Connect the red/black from each 14-3 to the 4-way switch. Connect the white from the 1st switch to the white to the light. Connect the white from the 3rd switch (color it black, since it is hot) to the black to the light.
At switch 3, just the one 14-3 cable. Color the white wire black and connect it to the common of the 3-way switch, and connect the black and red wires to the travelers.
I'd actually use the colors a little different, but I think this is easier for someone else to follow. If this isn't answering your question, try being more specific.
Try this. http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/3wa...
Derik, refer to my profile for an answer i gave recently regarding switching (3 and 4 way) and knob and tube wiring..it will help explain what you're looking at on the diagrams.
You should have 2 sets of 3 wireyou will notice that 2 wires are spliced togther one wire from each cable you should have 4 wires total to put on the switch , take 2 wires from one of the cables put them on the 2 screws of the same color ( usually a set silvers and a set ofblacks) and take the other 2 wires and put on the other set of screws if they are not colored put a set on the top 2 screws and a set on the bottom
screws
the 4 way switch wires between the 10-3 wire running to the 3way switches
in a 3 way set up using 2 3 way switches when installing a 4 way you interrupt the wires between the 2 3 way switches these wires are called travelers just think of a round room with one light in the center you can have 2 3ways and as many 4 ways as you want switch it from 3 places or 50 places
from one 3 way the line or 'hot' connects to the single screw on the bottom of your first 3 way the 2 top screws are where the travelers connect to the next 4 way than from that 4 way it goes to your 2nd 3 way from that switch it goes 'switch leg' to your light or lights
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