How to Wire a 4 Way Switch Video

I have existing construction. Three switches work a pair of lights. Box 1 three wire cables one three-way(power in wire) two two-way, box 2 the two two-ways, Box 3 one cable three-way. Can't get all three switches to work. Three-way switches in boxes one and three, and a four-way in box two. Can you help with a diagram for this wiring situation.

I have the same situation as Carl R, but I'm attempting to wire in a GFCI circuit upstream (closer to breaker box) from the 2 hall light fixtures and all three switches. The reason for this is this same circuit powers five outlets and the overhead light fixture in our 20 month old son's room. I'm familiar with GFCI outlets and 3-way and 4-way switches, but getting confused how they should be properly wired to allow the GFCI to work without tripping when the light switch is turned on. Unfortunately, the existing wiring is not color coded with a nice red wire. Looks like the eletrician used an additional standard wire with ground, hot and neutral. I'll try to figure it out, but any suggestions are sure to be appreciated. Primarily, should two ceiling light fixtures controlled by two 3-way and one 4-way switch be able to have a GFCI outlet upstream? Again, I do care about GFCI protecting the hall lights, but their wiring is integrated with our little boy's bedroom wiring and the GFCI trips any time I turn on the hall light. This is the reason for my question. Thanks in advance for any help and Happy New Year! :)

I have 3 switches that control 1 light. I have a four way switch in the middle and a three way switch on the other two. My problem is that when the first 3 way switch is in the off position the other switches will not work. Ihave one black one red and one white wire to work with. Thank you a million

Hello Jessica, I ran into a similar problem before I finally figured out the issue that I was having (related to GFCI). If you switch the TWO "runner" wires on the 3-way switch that you referred too, that should address your issue. On that switch you'll have a GROUND (bare wire to Green screw) connection, a HOT (Load or line wire, should be black) and a pair of wires (if your electrician used standard wire like mine did) that are black and wire (ground wire on the "runner" wire pair is usually not used, but may be grounded for the heck of it). If you reverse those "runner" pair, that should correct your 'master switch' problem so that the 3-way will play nice and not 'over-power' the other two. Hope that helps. Bret

hi i don't know if this is related or not but i have a problem with my downstairs bathroom , every time i turn on light the trip switch goes i've changed bulb and checked fitting but there is an expel air next to light which is starting to seperate from ceiling , Any ideas!!!!!

Hello Colette. Have you always had this problem or did it just recently start? Also, when you say "trip switch", do you mean the circuit breaker in the main power panel or a GFCI switch that is in that bathroom? I may be able to help. If you'd like to email me, feel free (xeonbret @ yahoo.com). Off the top of my head, it sounds like you may have a short caused by the exhaust fan coming down out of the ceiling. I'd suggest that until you find the problem, leave the circuit breaker off to avoid a fire hazard (just in case that is the problem). Better to be safe than sorry. I'm guessing the reason you can reset the breaker is because the light switch is off and there's no power getting to the light/fan in the ceiling, but as soon as you flip the switch and it gets power, if a short exists, it should pop the breaker immediately to avoid starting a fire. If I'm confused and it's the GFCI 'test' switch that keeps popping, let me know. That's different.

Hello Bret. My problem. New house wiring. I have three lights and 2- 3-ways and a 4-way switch. There is also a GFI fed from the same power wire, (Wire coming from panel). I have all three fixtures run together with 12-2 romex. I have a 3-way hooked to a 4-way and then to a 3-way. I have the lights hooked up to one three way and the power coming from the panel to the other 3-way with the GFI coming from the same switch box. I have tried every thing, but the 3-way switch that has the power coming in and a GFI wired in has to be on for the other two switches to work. I read somewhere that I need another 12-2 wire to run between the lights, I can not do that since we have already drywalled, is there any way to make this work so all three switches will work together? Does the GFI have something to do with it? Please help!

I understand how to wire a 4 way switch where 3 switches will control a single light. If I wanted the ability to add another switch would I add another 4 way switch and connect it to the 4 way switch just wired? If so, how would it be wired?

Thanks to anyone who can answer my above question.

Hey Larry, you should only need 3-way switches on the outside and 4-way switches (as many as you want) in between the two outside 3-way switches.

If you're adding an additional light, but no extra switches, just piggy back it off of the first light is probably the easiest way. Hope that helps.

Hi Bret: So I would wire the second, third, etc., switch the same as the first? No limit? Thanks.

Hello Bret, I am attempting to replace 2 light switches,(one a 3 way, the other a single) They are in the same box which I replaced the old metal one with plastic, I wired them it the same manner the old push-button switches were and now they do not function. My home was built near 1900, but the wire itself seems fine. By my own mistake I know that at least the single light circuit is hot, but still not functioning. Do you have any thoughts on why these 2 circuits are not functioning? Thank you.

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running more than one outlet on a 4way cable.
how many and how far apart and what wire pattern?

Thanks for the video! I was able to help my husband replace a bad 4 way switch. The tip about mentally numbering the boxes and making sure both wires from Box 1 went to brass screws helped us correct the mistake we made the first time he hooked it up.

Thank you very much. You just fixed a problem I've worked on for two hours.

I have 3 ceiling lights connected on a 3 switch circuit, one being a 4 way and two 3 way’s. I want to make one 3 way switch seperate from the others for a fan with a remote control and receiver. How can I do this my self without rewireing all.

Thanks

I really appreciate with the above information. Thanks for this interesting information.