The 4 way is used when you want to control the light or lights from two or more locations. Below is another method for wiring 4 way switches.

3 Gang Light Switch Wiring Diagram Wiring Diagram Source
4 way light switch wiring diagram. Study the 4 way switch and the manufacturers directions. To view it at full size click on the diagram. Two wire cable is run from the light to sw1 and 3 wire cable runs between the three switches. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram. Two terminalpoles are labeled in and two are labeled out pairs of wires called travelers will connect to each side. As you will see most 4 way switch wiring is placed between the wiring of two 3 way switches therefore a 4way switch is installed with two 3way.
The source neutral wire is connected directly to the light fixture and the hot is. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. More 4 way switch wiring diagrams four way switch wiring schematic. Typical 4 way switch wiring nm cable. 4 way switch wiring with light first. If more than three switches are needed simply place more 4 way switches between the three way switches.
In the 1st diagram below a 2 wire nm cable supplies power from the panel to the first switch box. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. Power from light fixture to light switch. Click here to access note. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. For complete instructions on wiring a basic 4 way switch see our wiring a 4 way switch article.
This diagram is a thumbnail. Wiring a 3 way light switch. While the physical location of the 4 way switch may be anywhere the electrical location of the switch is always between the two 3 way switches. 4 way switch configurations are used to control lights with three or more switchesa 3 way switch is used on each end with one or more 4 way switches in between the two 3 way switchesthey do not have an onoff position like single pole switches. A 3 wire nm connects the traveler terminals of the first 3 way switch and the first 4 way switch. This diagram illustrates wiring for a 4 way circuit with the electrical source at the light fixture and the switches coming after.
4 way switch wiring 4 way switches provide switching from three or more locations. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles. The two wiring diagrams above are of a 3 way switch setup and the same basic setup with a 4 way light switch added. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light. The black line wire connects to the common terminal of the first 3 way switch. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch.
The electrical switch box that contains the line and load wires may need to be bigger than the other switch boxes especially if there are other wires going into the switch box. If additional 4 way switches are needed they will also go between the 3 way switches. When the switch is operated current will either travel straight through or crisscross.