The first switch 3 way travelers brass color connect to one pair of the second switch 4 way travelers black or brass color. Use this if you began repairing and replacing a 4 way switch circuit and ran into problems.

Kc 0323 3 Way Switch Wiring Methods Free Diagram
How does a 4 way switch work diagram. Study the 4 way switch and the manufacturers directions. One represents the pathway when the toggle is up and one represents the pathway when the toggle is down. You need a four way switch for each additional exit. A four switch configuration will have two 3 way switches one on each end and two 4 way switches in the middle. Two terminalpoles are labeled in and two are labeled out pairs of wires called travelers will connect to each side. You want to control the lights from any of the exits.
Start here for practical circuits with different arrangments of switches and lights including proper color codes. The red and white are used as travelers between the 4 way and sw2. For more information on household ac current and grounding see how power distribution grids work you can see in the figure that the current runs through the switch. The graphic shows the pathways through two four way switches. In the diagrams below the first switch 3 way common terminal connects to line voltage. The white wire is marked black at each end to mark it as hot.
Back to 3 way and 4 way light switches. The white wire is neutral. The white wire of the cable going to the switch is attached to the black line in the fixture box using a wirenut. When the switch is operated current will either travel straight through or crisscross. I have a few of the most common ways in wiring a 4 way switch to help you with your basic home wiring projects. This 4 way switch diagram 1 shows the power source starting at the left 3 way switch.
A similar page for 3 way switch circuits. This 4 way switch diagram 2 shows the power source starting at the fixture. A 4 way switch has two positions. My 4 way switches dont work. My 3 way switches dont work. In the first position the contacts are connected straight through so that the switch has no effect.
The black wire running to the 4 way switch is connected to the hot terminal on the light and at the switch box its spliced to the black wire from the common on sw2. In this diagram the black wire is hot that is it carries the 120 volt ac current. A 4 way switch wiring diagram is the clearest and easiest way to wire that pesky 4 way switch. Power from light fixture to light switch. A 4 way switch has 4 terminals or poles. Do you need a 3 way switch wiring diagram.
In position two the switch cross connects the contacts on the left with the contacts on the right in an x connection.