Control Light from more than Three Places Wiring Diagram

Hey, in this article, we are going to see the wiring diagram for controlling light from more than three places. In our previous articles, we already know how to control lights from two places or three places but in this article, we will learn how to control the light from more than 3 places and what changes need to be made when we want to add more places.

The main components required for this circuit,

1. Of course, the light bulb needs to be control
2. SPDT Two-Way Switch or Three Way Switches
3. DPDT Intermediate(Three Way) or Crossover(Four Way) Switches

I know the terms "intermediate switch" and "crossover switch" can be confusing because they are often used interchangeably in some regions. When it comes to the DPDT switches, in the UK and similar regions, the "intermediate switch" refers to a type of three-way switch used for controlling lights from multiple locations. In the US and other regions following US electrical standards, "crossover switch" is another term for a four-way switch used for controlling lights from two locations. 

Similarly, when we come to the SPST switches, the term "two-way switch" is used in the UK and similar regions whereas the same type of switch is known as "Three Way Switch" in the US and other regions following US electrical standards.

Wiring Diagram

Here, in the below wiring diagram, we have shown the connection for IEC and NEC standard switches. Here, we have designed the circuit to control the light from five different places. If you want to control the light in more than five places then add more intermediate or crossover switches.

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Connection Procedure

1. The neutral terminal of the light is to be connected to the neutral terminal of the power source directly.

2. Make the grounding connection to all the devices if they have a grounding terminal.

3. Now, coming to the main connection. Remember that both the SPDT Two Way or Three Way switches are to be installed at the two ends of the circuit. That means if it is a staircase wiring then one SPDT switch should be installed at the Bottom of the staircase and another SPDT switch should be installed at the top of the staircase. And all the DPDT Intermediate or crossover switches are to be installed in the middle.

4. The common terminal of the first SPDT Switch is to be connected to the phase terminal of the Power Source.

5. The common terminal of the last SPDT switch is to be connected to the phase terminal of the Light.

6. The traveler terminals of the first SPDT switch are to be connected to the input side traveler terminals of the DPDT switch that is installed to the next(here in the 2nd position).

7. Now, the output traveler terminals of that DPDT switch are to be connected to the input side traveler terminals of the DPDT switch that is installed to the next(here in the 3rd position).

8. All the intermediate switches are to be connected in that procedure. As per the above wiring diagram, we have used three DPDT switches as we want to control the light from five places. If you want to control the light from more than five places, for example, seven places then you need to use five DPDT or Intermediate or Crossover Switches. Because five DPDT switches and Two SPDT switches, mean a total of seven switches are for seven places of control.

So while designing the circuit, just remember that two SPDT switches are must required, and the rest all the switches should be DPDT as per your number of control places.

9. The output side traveler terminals of the last DPDT switch are to be connected to the traveler terminals of the last SPDT switch.

10. If you want to control the light from more places then add more DPDT switches. Adding each new DPDT switch will give you control from one new place.

Here are some examples of required switches for different places,

Controlling Light from three places,

SPDT Switch - 2Pcs

DPDT Switch - 1 Pcs

Controlling Light from four places,

SPDT Switch - 2Pcs

DPDT Switch - 2 Pcs

Controlling Light from five places,

SPDT Switch - 2Pcs

DPDT Switch - 3 Pcs

Controlling Light from Six places,

SPDT Switch - 2Pcs

DPDT Switch - 4 Pcs

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