Add light to 4 way switch light circuit
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 3
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Add light to 4 way switch light circuit
I have searched for this answer and can't seem to find anything. I have a four way switch and would like to add a light. The current configuration is this:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way --> three way 2
I plan to add an additional four way switch between the existing four way switch and three way 2 switch. However I also want to add a light between the first and second four way switches like this:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
First, is this possible to do?
Second, can someone help me with a wiring diagram?
Thanks
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way --> three way 2
I plan to add an additional four way switch between the existing four way switch and three way 2 switch. However I also want to add a light between the first and second four way switches like this:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
First, is this possible to do?
Second, can someone help me with a wiring diagram?
Thanks
Last edited by ray2047; 12-10-13 at 08:31 AM.
#2
To avoid confusion I have deleted your duplicate post.
The easiest way to add another light is to run a 2-conductor cable from the existing light to the new light.
You diagrammed:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
Add your new 4-way between the two existing four ways. **Do not put the new light between them (the new light is connected to the existing light.)** Abandon the cable between the two existing 4-ways and run two new 3-conductor cables from the new 4-way. One cable to each existing 4-way.
Breakfast time. Diagram later if you need it.
The easiest way to add another light is to run a 2-conductor cable from the existing light to the new light.
You diagrammed:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
Add your new 4-way between the two existing four ways. **Do not put the new light between them (the new light is connected to the existing light.)** Abandon the cable between the two existing 4-ways and run two new 3-conductor cables from the new 4-way. One cable to each existing 4-way.
Breakfast time. Diagram later if you need it.
#3
Member
I'm confused. Unless I
a) misread your post /diagram and/or
b) am wrong about 3 way and 4 way switches,
your initial configuration shouldn't work, because I have always thought that the configuration would have to be:
power → 3 way switch → 4 way switch→ 3 way switch → light(s).
If I am not confused/incorrect, in your current configuration, your "4 way" and "3 way 2"would have no impact on the light.(By extension, your "additional light" would only be impacted by your " 3 way switch 1"
As I said, I may be wrong, but you might want to recheck your configurations.
(I imagine that the pros will jump in later on, after work.)
Good luck with your project.
a) misread your post /diagram and/or
b) am wrong about 3 way and 4 way switches,
your initial configuration shouldn't work, because I have always thought that the configuration would have to be:
power → 3 way switch → 4 way switch→ 3 way switch → light(s).
If I am not confused/incorrect, in your current configuration, your "4 way" and "3 way 2"would have no impact on the light.(By extension, your "additional light" would only be impacted by your " 3 way switch 1"
As I said, I may be wrong, but you might want to recheck your configurations.
(I imagine that the pros will jump in later on, after work.)
Good luck with your project.
#4
Diagram he provide is a bit confusing. I'm assuming both the 4-way and light are connected to the first 3-way by separate cables.
Revised:
Power --> three way 1 --> four way 1 --> New 4-way--> four way 2 --> three way 2
...................|
...................|
................LIGHT
Revised:
Power --> three way 1 --> four way 1 --> New 4-way--> four way 2 --> three way 2
...................|
...................|
................LIGHT
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 3
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, ray2047 and sorry for the duplicative posts.
I would normally just run an additional two wire cable to the light and then just add the 4 way switch. However, it will be difficult to access the wiring at the light, which is why I was going to add a new 4 way switch and light off the existing 4 way switch. So, if connecting the new light to the existing light is not an option 1) can I do this; and 2) what is the diagram to do this:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
Basically, can there be lights in two different locations on the same four way switched circuit?
Thanks
I would normally just run an additional two wire cable to the light and then just add the 4 way switch. However, it will be difficult to access the wiring at the light, which is why I was going to add a new 4 way switch and light off the existing 4 way switch. So, if connecting the new light to the existing light is not an option 1) can I do this; and 2) what is the diagram to do this:
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way 1 --> light --> four way 2 --> three way 2
Basically, can there be lights in two different locations on the same four way switched circuit?
Thanks
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 3
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
So the lights must be either before or after a three way switch? A light cannot be between two four way switches? Can't the light be added between the 4 way switches light this:
4-way switch variations.
4-way switch variations.
#10
can there be lights in two different locations on the same four way switched circuit?
Power --> three way 1 --> lights --> four way --> three way 2
Assuming you have wiring in cable, it appears from that that the 2-conductor cable feeding this circuit from the panel and the 2-conductor cable feeding the lights are both in the box where the first 3-way switch is. There is also a 3-conductor cable there that goes to the 4-way switch, and another to the second 3-way switch. The 3-conductor run may go through the light boxes but is not connected to the lights. Then, once the wiring gets to the 4-way switch there is no neutral - it only runs from the first box to the lights. It ends at the last light.
If so, you may add as many more 4-way switches as you like, foe convenience but you cannot add any lights off any of those boxes. You may add new lights by starting at any existing light or at the box where the first 3-way, the power-in cable and, most importantly, the power-out cable are all present.
#11
In each case the power is connected as we've explained: the hot power coming in from the panel is connected to the common terminal on one of the two 3-way switches and the hot power going out to the light(s) is connected to the common terminal on the other 3-way switch. Those feeds are not connected to either 4-way switch. Only the traveler wires are connected to those switches.
That's how all 3-way switch pairs work. See How Light Switches Work.