S4 Method #4 4way with Two Wire Travelers
Rating Above Average B ☺
Level Advanced There is a danger of overloading a neutral if 2 different circuits are used and those 2 circuit breakers are on the same phase (or same service hot or same transformer winding).
➳ Be certain the 2 receptacles and all switches used in this method are on the same circuit breaker.
Also there is a possibility of creating impedance if the 2 wire traveler cable is not run close to or along side with the 2 wire power cable. Impedance can cause slight noise interference with sensitive electronics.
This method uses only 2 wire cable like 14/2 or 12/2
If you have no 14/3 or 12/3 and don't want to buy some then it is good to know this 2 wire method.
If you have no 14/3 or 12/3 and don't want to buy some then it is good to know this 2 wire method.
Description Power, a hot and a neutral, is at both ends (both 3 ways). The switch leg from the light is at one end. A 2 wire, either 14/2 or 12/2, is run from the 3way to the 4way to the last 3way and is used as travelers. The hot at one end is connected to the common terminal on the 3way while capping off the unused neutral. At the other end, the black from the light's switch leg is connected to the common terminal on the 3way. Also the white from the light's switch leg is connected to the neutral from the power feed while capping off the unused hot.
S4 Method #5 Four Wire 4way
Rating Above average B ☺
Description Power is fed to the 3way at one end and the switch leg is run to the 3 way at the other end. A 2 wire (14/2 or 12/2) is used as travelers between each switch from the first 3 way to the 4 way and from the 4 way to the 2nd 3 way. A second 2 wire is run from the first 3 way passing through the 4way switch box and on to the 2nd 3 way where the white is used to feed the neutral to the light and the black is capped off.
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Level Advanced.
Another method using only 2 wire and creating impedance if the 2 wire traveler cable is not run close to or along side with the 2 wire power cable. Impedance can cause slight interference with sensitive electronics.
Another method using only 2 wire and creating impedance if the 2 wire traveler cable is not run close to or along side with the 2 wire power cable. Impedance can cause slight interference with sensitive electronics.
Description Power is fed to the 3way at one end. A 2 wire (14/2 or 12/2) is used as travelers between each switch from the first 3 way to the 4 way and from the 4 way to the 2nd 3 way. The switch legs are at both ends. The switch leg from one light is run to the first 3 way and a switch leg from another light is run to the other 3 way. A second 2 wire is run from 3 way to 3 way passing through the 4way switch box and used as a switch leg interconnecting both lights.
Notice that there is a neutral in each switch box but only the first 3way at the left has an unswitched hot. Meaning that it is the only box you could tap into the wiring to add a receptacle. You can add another light, if needed, at the 4way by tapping into the black and white switch leg wiring that passes through the 4way switch box.
Notice that there is a neutral in each switch box but only the first 3way at the left has an unswitched hot. Meaning that it is the only box you could tap into the wiring to add a receptacle. You can add another light, if needed, at the 4way by tapping into the black and white switch leg wiring that passes through the 4way switch box.
S4 Method #6 Light Fed 4way
Rating Poor F ☹
Too many connections at a difficult location to access; the light on the ceiling.
Also, there is no neutral at the switch boxes.
Too many connections at a difficult location to access; the light on the ceiling.
Also, there is no neutral at the switch boxes.
Level Advanced
Description Power is fed to the light's box up on the ceiling. A 3 wire is run from the light box to one dead end 3way. Another 3 wire is run from the light box to the 4way and from the 4way to the other dead end 3way.
The black wire from the feed is extended from the light box to the common terminal screw on one 3way. The black from the light's switch leg is extended from the light box through the 4way switch box to the common terminal on the other 3way. The red and white wires are used as travelers going from the 2 traveler terminal screws on one 3way through the light box to the "in" terminals on the 4way. And again from the 4way "out" terminals to the 2nd 3way traveler terminals.
- There are no S4 dimmers If you have 3 (or more) switches controlling a light and the owner wants one of them to be a dimmer then be sure to pull wire in such a way that the dimmer location is a 3way not a 4way location
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