The third wire the red will not be switched at the 4 way location but passes to the final 3 way switch. Follow the switch manufacturers instructions and wiring diagram as the connections on the switch vary by manufacturer.
Double 4 Way Switch Wiring Diagram Diagram Base Website
4 way switch wiring diagram power at switch. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. 4 way switch wiring diagrams this 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch. Power from light fixture to light switch. The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches.
A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. The red and black wires are connected to the four way switches. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first 3 way switch and the first 4 way switch. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. These two wires are the travelers to the 4 way switch. This diagram is a thumbnail.
Typical 4 way switch wiring nm cable in the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. 4 way light switch with power feed via the light this circuit diagram shows wiring for a 4 way circuit with the power source at the light fixture and the switches following. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. Click here to access note. 4 way switch wiring with light first. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article.
4 way switches have four terminals each with two pairs of travelers one set usually black and one set usually brass color. A two wire cable c2 is run from the light to the first switch sw1 and a 3 wire cable runs between all the switches. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. Sometimes the switch wiring connection diagram is printed on the inside of the 4 way switch packaging box see example below. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. Attach the black wire and white marked with blue wire going out of the box to the next switch to the bottom poles of the 3 way switch.
Conventional 4 way switch wiring. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to. To view it at full size click on the diagram. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.