Adding a light to a 4way switch

[Reit38]

So we have one kitchen light that is controlled by a 4 way switches. we would like to add 2 drop down pendant lights that are controller at the same time with this light but that would mean opening up half our ceiling to run wiring. Is there a way that I can connect to the nearest 4 way switch instead. I can run the wire from the new lights to the switch with out opening up any more sheetrock then I already have open

 

[sparky 1971]

So we have one kitchen light that is controlled by a 4 way switches. we would like to add 2 drop down pendant lights that are controller at the same time with this light but that would mean opening up half our ceiling to run wiring. Is there a way that I can connect to the nearest 4 way switch instead. I can run the wire from the new lights to the switch with out opening up any more sheetrock then I already have open

There is a chance you can connect to one, and only one, of the at least three switches. You will have the hot at three way switch, the travelers will go from there to a four way, to another four way, and on and on and on until the last four way, then they will go to a three way. From the second three way will be the switch leg that goes to the light. If there is a neutral in that switch (not necessarily a white wire, but an actual neutral), you can go from there to the lights. Without seeing the house, I am having a hard time figuring out why you can't come from an existing light to the pendants.

 

[Reit38]

The existing light is atleast a little over 4ft so im assuming 3 joist from where the new lights will be mounted

 

[sparky 1971]

The existing light is atleast a little over 4ft so im assuming 3 joist from where the new lights will be mounted

But you still have to get above the ceiling to get the wire down to the switch, which will probably mean making a hole in the ceiling for sure, and maybe the wall if you can't get the cable through and existing hole because a drill with a bit in it might not fit above the ceiling to drill down.

Pull the switches out of the wall. The first thing to do is see if there is a set of neutrals (white) spliced together inside of each box. If there isn't, give up on the idea of fishing down to a switch. If there is a neutral passing through, your luck just got better. There will be two three ways and at least one four way. Forget about the four way, you need the switch leg end of the three ways. The three way switches will have three screws plus a ground terminal. Two of the screws will be the same color, those are the travelers, and the third screw will be a different color, usually black. Take the wire off of that third screw on each switch and using a meter, not a glow pen, check for voltage between that wire and the neutral. One location will have 120 volts present all the time, the other will have zero. The switch that is hot all the time is not the switch you want to use, you want the other one which will have the wire going to the light(s). If it's the switch you wanted to feed from, great. If not, it's time to make another plan.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Short answer is no you cant connect to a 4-way switch. The 4-way switches simply switch the travellers

The 3-way switches take the power in from the source and output it to the lights. One switch connects to power on the common terminal, the other switch connecte to the lights on the common terminal....

 

[sparky 1971]

If the switch that you are wanting to run the lights off of is a three way, but it's the hot end instead of the switch leg, a second switch could be added there to run the pendant lights independently of the other kitchen light. There still has to be a neutral present in the switch box and it's still a no go if it's a four way.

 

[Reit38]

We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and the 2 walls that have a 3 way and a 4way on them are still open. Along with where the lights will be mounted. Don't need to add a new switch, we would like the pendant lights to come on with the kitchen light

 

[sparky 1971]

We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and the 2 walls that have a 3 way and a 4way on them are still open. Along with where the lights will be mounted. Don't need to add a new switch, we would like the pendant lights to come on with the kitchen light

You will only be able to add the new light from the three way that feeds the existing light. You don't have to add another switch, but if the preferred switch location is the wrong three way, the second switch is a viable option.

 

[Terry D]

I assume there is no attic above the kitchen. As already said, the only switch to come off of is the 3-way that supplies power to the light from its common screw. The other 3-way will have constant power to the common screw. The common screw will be a different color than the other two. But with all that said, it sounds like you will have other drywall work. Unless its some kind of textured finish or a popcorn ceiling what's the problem with coming off the existing light and repairing a little drywall damage