Diagrams for light-switch-wiring for new homes

Some light-switch-wiring circuits can get a little tricky, so the diagrams can really help out a lot. You don't need to be an electrical contractor to figure this stuff out though.

These diagrams are a little hard to see. The color of the wires is especially important, so you may want to squint at the drawings to better understand them.

The diagram below shows a simple single pole light switch diagram with the switch before the light in the circuit run.

The diagram below shows a single-pole with the switch behind the light. In this case, an extra hot wire is needed so it is legal to paint or wrap electricians� tape around both ends of the white wire.

Three-way switches are a little confusing at first, but after you look at the diagram and think it through, it�ll make perfect sense. The easiest way for three-ways is to place the light between the two switches. You might have to go to an electric supply store for these switches.

Another way is to put the light at the end of the switches as shown in the electrical wiring diagram below.

Four-way switches sound confusing, but they are quite simple. Just remember this one thing: four-way switches are always between three-way switches.

You can have one light that is controlled from a dozen locations, but you�ll start with a three-way switch at the start of the light circuit, place ten four-ways in between, and then end with another three-way switch. Are you confused? Yeah, me too.
Many homes, especially those with garages, have lights controlled from many locations. You need to be able to turn the garage light on when you�re entering from outside, or entering from upstairs, or downstairs into the garage.
You will want to be able to turn the same light on or off from any surrounding part of the garage outside or inside. Any place where there is a doorway or entrance should have a light switch.
Three-way switches aren�t really �three way� at all. They�re only two-way if you consider that a light can only be controlled from two locations with three-way switches.
I don�t know where that word came from, but if you need to have a light controlled from three locations, you will need to start with a three-way, put a four-way in the middle, and end with another three-way. See the diagram below.

Try not to get too confused with some of the more complex light-switch-wiring circuits. It all makes sense within a small learning curve.

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