[robwak]

OK, the walls were open when I did this so hopefully I got the right wire types in before I closed her up!

I have a dining room with 4 entry points and I've put a switch box at each location. The power is fed to this lighting circuit through the room lights junc. Box. I ran a 2 plus ground to the first switch box from the light(load) box. I ran a 3 plus ground from the first switch box to the second switch box. I ran a 3 plus ground from the second switch box to the third switch box. I ran a 3 plus ground from the third switch box to the fourth switch box. Got out my handy book on wiring diagrams that has 10 different configurations for 3way switches... but only ONE for 4way's that is the same as the one that came with the switch. I have not experimented yet, but is it possible to simply add another 4 way switch between the two 3ways? Also, my diagrams show power coming into the first switchbox NOT the light box as I have done. Do any of you know where I can get a diagram for this setup?

Just finished painting the new walls and would hate to tear into them again... :eek:

[MagarElec]

Yes, No, and Maybe ;-)

You can have an unlimited number of switches, controlling the lighting circuit, just have a 3-way on each end, of the circuit, and all the 4-ways in the middle. One 3-way has the power coming into it (common terminal), and the power leaves at the other 3-way (common terminal) to the light(s)... normal... However, depending on where you tap off, and feed into the circuit with power, it can become more complicated, to the average person...

As long as you wired a 3 wire(4 ground) between each outlet(switch)box, you can place the switches in any location... 3-way switches at feed in, and feed out locations...
If you find a diagram, to show all the combo's, love to have one... j/k

Hope this helped...

[Stratmando]

Above is good advice, another way of saying
This is good for all diagrams. Common of one 3 way needs a constant live. Common of other 3 way goes to Light Hot. Between the 2 three ways is 2 conductors(travellers).
2 three ways are used for 2 locations, You can wire as many 4 ways between these 2 three ways as you want. So if you have a 4 way between 2 12-2's, you would connect black and white to 1 side, and black and white to other side(2 other terminals, a total of 4 screw connection for the 2 sets of travellers).
Three ways have a dark screw, that is the hot or switched leg.

[Cobraguy]

Above is good advice, another way of saying
This is good for all diagrams. Common of one 3 way needs a constant live. Common of other 3 way goes to Light Hot. Between the 2 three ways is 2 conductors(travellers).
2 three ways are used for 2 locations, You can wire as many 4 ways between these 2 three ways as you want. So if you have a 4 way between 2 12-2's, you would connect black and white to 1 side, and black and white to other side(2 other terminals, a total of 4 screw connection for the 2 sets of travellers).
Three ways have a dark screw, that is the hot or switched leg.

LOL Strat... that was clear as mud! Actually, I think you've done an admirable job explaining. But like most 3 and 4 way switching circuits, they can be very confusing until you get the grasp of what is actually happening. Kind of like giving a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he eats forever. Learn what's going on, and you don't need to have diagrams, explanations, etc. You can figure it out on your own.

[robwak]

OK, well I pulled a valuable tidbit from all of that :) First I'm going to wire this thing as a 3way and get the circuit working, then I'm going to throw in the 4way's in between one at a time. The trick being, power comes into the lights box and none of the switch's. I'll diagram it when I'm done and post. I already know how to fish freshwater, am now just learning how to fish saltwater! This circuit just happens to be my white whale ;)

Thanks all for your polite input!

RW

[Stratmando]

Quote "The trick being, power comes into the lights box and none of the switch's."


Power does go to one of the 3 ways, and that is all. Good luck. Just think that the 2 wires between the 2 3 ways as being able to cut those 2 wires(you now have 4 wires) A 4 way would go there. It is understood all will be in boxes.