4 Way switch circuit with multiple lights in middle

Hello,

I'm trying to re-do some wiring in a house I just bought. I have a unique wiring situation and I'm trying to re-use/conserve as much of the existing wiring already in place. I'm trying to wire up 2 lights with 3 switches. The first switch is at the far end of the house very near the breaker panel. The lights I'm needing powered are near the middle of the house and the other two switches are at the opposite end of the house at the top and bottom of a staircase.

I've been reading quite a bit the past couple of days and trying to find a wiring diagram that was similar to what I'm needing. I was unable to find a diagram that matched what I was looking for. I was able to find several that have a different arrangement of switches/lights with either at the beginning or end of the run but none that have 2 lights in the middle of a 4 way circuit.

So without talking everyone to death, using what I've been able to learn about 4 way circuits and studying the few diagrams that were somewhat close to what I'm trying to do I've sat down with MSPAINT and put my own diagram together that I think will work but now I'm looking for an expert to verify that before I start actually re-wiring everything.

If someone would so kind as to look it over and let me know any suggestions or mistakes I might have made. Thanks for your time!

Charles

 

Well as soon as I uploaded my diagram, I noticed one mistake I made right away I think. My runners are not connected to the correct terminals on the switches. They should be connected to the terminals that are across from each other and not the same side.

I've been up way to long and am to tired to re-do the diagram tonight. I'll work on re-doing it tomorrow. In the meantime if anyone sees anything else or has any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks again!

 

Welcome to the forums.

When dealing with three way switches...... there is no top, bottom or side. The terminals can be in any order. The key factor is that one screw will always be dark, or darker, than the two traveler terminals. That odd or dark terminal is the switch common. The travelers can be connected in either direction.

Your diagram, as it is drawn, will work.

 

Thank you so much for the quick response PJ. Having never looked at a 4 way switch before I'm assuming they are marked as to which two terminals are in and which two are out as well correct? The travelers can't be hooked up just any ol' way or else it could feed back on itself correct?

Thanks again for the help. You'll probably be seeing more of me on the forums. I have lots that I want to do to the new house.

 

There are two ways used to wire a four way switch but only one correct way based on the manufacturer.

I've illustrated both wiring methods below. The four way switch will come with a diagram on or in the box.

Nothing will short out if wired wrong but lights won't switch correctly.