Favorite 4 Way Switch Terminals

Four way switches are used to control lighting from three or more locations.

4 way switch terminals. In position two the switch cross connects the contacts on the left with the contacts on the right in an x connection. In the first position the contacts are connected straight through so that the switch has no effect. 4 way switch not to be confused with a 2 pole switch.

Four way switches are used in combination with three way switches. Conventional 4 way switch wiring. It then leaves the 2 terminal and follows the red wire to in terminal4 on the 4way switch.

Inside the 4way current moves through the purple switch blade from 4 in to 7 out terminal never in to in or out to out it leaves the 7 out terminal and follows the black wire to the 9 terminal on the last 3way switch. A 4 way switch must be wired between two 3 way switches as shown in the diagrams on this page. You will find that of the4 main connection screws on a 4 way switch 2 screws will match and there will be another 2 screws that match one set will be distinctly different in color or darkness than the other pair.

In the down position the current flows through the other two terminals. When the switch is operated current will either travel straight through or crisscross. Each pair of traveler terminals should be wired to the traveler wires from one of the 3 way switches in the circuit.

Label the circuit to advise others that work is being done on the circuit. 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. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage.

A 4 way switch has two positions. The two sets of screws should be identified with two colors for example. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles.