Four-way switches are often used in large rooms or with open floor plans.
Read on to learn about 4-way switches, installation tips, and when to use a 4-way switch.
What Is a 4-Way Switch?
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
Four-way switches are used to control lighting from three or more locations.
Four-way switches are used in combination with 3-way switches.
A 4-way switch has four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions.
When the switch is in the up position, the current can flow through two terminals.
In the down position, the current flows through the other two terminals.
Imagine that a 3-way switch connects traveler wires from that switch to one side of the 4-way switch.
The other side is connected to the other 3-way switch.
The3-way switchis then connected to a light.
When connected properly, a flip of any of the switches will turn on the light.
What Are Traveler Wires?
Traveler wires run between switches to offer multiple ways to complete the circuit.
In other words, they allow you to send power to a light from more than one switch.
Four-way switches are often used in large rooms that have many door openings.
It’s not convenient or safe to walk through a dark room to reach a light switch.
All major brands such as Lutron, Leviton, and Legrand produce 4-way switches.
The mainchoice is the switch style: rocker, toggle, or push button.
Wiring a 4-Way Switch
When wiring a 4-way switch, first find out which terminals go together.
Many times, 4-way switches will come with two brass-colored terminal screws and two darker-colored terminal screws.
A green ground terminal is also on a 4-way switch.
Each set of terminals will connect to the traveler wires from each of the 3-way switches.
A 4-way switch controls a single rig from three or more locations.
There is not a equipment called a 2-way switch.
However, 2-wayswitchingis the act of controlling a single gear from two locations.
A double pole is the same as a 4-way switch.
These terms are used interchangeably.
