Wiring Diagram help

Hey, I'm trying to figure out how to draw a wiring diagram for the attached pictures, but can't figure out how to have multiple things coming off the four way switch. If anyone could help that would be much appreciated. Wasn't sure which forum to use, sorry.

 

So you have two three way switches and one four way switch? Is that correct? Do you have one 3-conductor cable (white, red, black) into the four way switch and one 3-conductor cable out?

 

Welcome to the forums.

A four-way switch system is a switching system comprising of 2) three-way switches at the ends and at least 1) four-way switch in between. You can have an unlimited amount of four way switches in the line. It's still called a four-way switch system.


When designing a four way switch system don't make any connections inside the switch loop.
Keep your power and the light connected at the ends.

 

Yes, it goes from the power supply to a three way switch, to a four way switch and then from the four way i need to split off into a light and another three way switch, both of which are coming from the four way. 3 conductor cables to and from the four way.

 

In practice I'm sure you're right not to have lights within the switch loop but the diagram requires me to draw it that way. I know how to draw a wiring diagram based on the layout you attached, I'm just having trouble drawing one where the four way switch has multiple things attached to it (Ex. a three way and a light at the same time).

 

The order your are showing.... in the diagram I changed... is the connection diagram. You can't tap switches off just anywhere. It must be 3way switch --> 4way switch --> 3way switch.

You can add another 4way switch into the loop but you can't tap lights in the middle.

 

Why that way instead of an easier to wire way?

 

I'm looking for help on creating a wiring diagram based on the layout I attached. I don't want it changed around or to do it an easier way.

 

These are theoretical wiring diagrams. They can't be used under our code.
The dark gray color is used for the white wire but that white is not neutral and needs to be remarked a different color. I used red slashes to signify non-neutral use.
These diagrams should be fine for your school homework.



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First Diagram:

Run the two wire from your panel to your first three-way.
From the first three-way run a three wire to the four-way, from the four-way to the other three-way run a three wire, from the four-way run a two wire to your light fixture.

For the wiring:
In the first three tie your hot leg to the feed side of the 3-way switch and wire nut your neutral to the white of the 3-wire, now tie the red and black to the terminals/travelers on the 3-way.

In the 4-way. Take another 3-wire cable to other 3-way and tie the red and black too your travelers and the white to your return.
Take the red and black from both 3-wires and tie them to your 4-way terminals/travelers. Take the white wire in the 3-wire cable from the first 3-way and tie it to your white wire on the two wire cable to your fixture. Ok then. From the second 3-way take the white wire from the 3-wire cable and tie it to your black from your light fixture; this is what you call a switch leg.

That's it