The black and red wires between sw1 and sw2 are connected to the traveler terminals. These are called single pole light switches and they can turn on or off a light fixture from a single location.
Wiring A 4 Way Switch
How do light switches work diagram. How a light switch works. Understanding exactly how a four way switch and two three way switches work together to control a light fixture from all three locations can be tricky to visualize. Three wire cable runs between the switches and 2 wire cable runs to the light. The switch simply opens off or closes on the connection between the two terminals on the switch. Circuit electrical wiring enters the switch box the black wire power in source attaches to one of the switch screw terminals. You can see in the figure that the current runs through the switch.
The source is at sw1 and 2 wire cable runs from there to the fixtures. Essentially the four way switch can be thought of as having an x shaped inner mechanism that toggles the electrical pathway back and forth between the already established. This diagram illustrates wiring for one switch to control 2 or more lights. Before explaining how three way light switches work its important to know how a regular light switch works. Explanation of wiring diagram 1 switch wiring shows the power source power in starts at the switch box. Wiring diagram 3 way switch with light at the end in this diagram the electrical source is at the first switch and the light is located at the end of the circuit.
The hot and neutral terminals on each fixture are spliced with a pigtail to the circuit wires which then continue on to the next light. When the switch is on current flows along the black wire through the switch to the light and then returns to ground through the white wire to complete the circuit. Multiple light wiring diagram.
Gallery of How Do Light Switches Work Diagram
