2 way light switching

[matt.leung]

mate where about are u located?

 

[green-hornet]

Your power for switching will always involve a permanant live.

However it would not be practical to allow a permanant live to a light source, as this would mean that the light would be on at all times.

This is where a switch comes in.

Effectivly this is a devise that interupts the permanant supply, so that the power is only delivered to the light , when the light is required.

To install a light with a switch you will need 4 connections.

Permanant Live

Neutral

Earth

Switched Live.

Permanant live is to ensure continuity and power to each light on the circuit, as is the need for a neutral.

Earth will be required through the circuit for safety and effective use of the rcd if used.

Then we come to the switched live.

All you are doing is making a mechanical break in the live circuit.

If it is a one way switch, this is done by a two core cable one core is used as a permanant live, the other is switched and completes the circuit once the switch is thrown.

Now if it is a two way switch you will need to link these switches, this is done by adding a third "wire" into the mix.

Commonly called a strapper, if you look at the diagram above you will see the effects this strapper has on the circuit.

All conections are made like for like ie:- common to common, L1 to L1 and so on.

Now when we get to intermediate switching, it is just the same but we have 4 connections,again strappers are used and are wired exactly the same, the common is normally connected "crimped through" and the remaining cables are connected just as before.

This would allow for multiple switching at as many points you require.

 

[tom1]

Your power for switching will always involve a permanant live.However it would not be practical to allow a permanant live to a light source, as this would mean that the light would be on at all times.

This is where a switch comes in.

Effectivly this is a devise that interupts the permanant supply, so that the power is only delivered to the light , when the light is required.

To install a light with a switch you will need 4 connections.

Permanant Live

Neutral

Earth

Switched Live.

Permanant live is to ensure continuity and power to each light on the circuit, as is the need for a neutral.

Earth will be required through the circuit for safety and effective use of the rcd if used.

Then we come to the switched live.

All you are doing is making a mechanical break in the live circuit.

If it is a one way switch, this is done by a two core cable one core is used as a permanant live, the other is switched and completes the circuit once the switch is thrown.

Now if it is a two way switch you will need to link these switches, this is done by adding a third "wire" into the mix.

Commonly called a strapper, if you look at the diagram above you will see the effects this strapper has on the circuit.

All conections are made like for like ie:- common to common, L1 to L1 and so on.

Now when we get to intermediate switching, it is just the same but we have 4 connections,again strappers are used and are wired exactly the same, the common is normally connected "crimped through" and the remaining cables are connected just as before.

This would allow for multiple switching at as many points you require.

now thats clear

 

[matt.leung]

Your power for switching will always involve a permanant live.However it would not be practical to allow a permanant live to a light source, as this would mean that the light would be on at all times.

This is where a switch comes in.

Effectivly this is a devise that interupts the permanant supply, so that the power is only delivered to the light , when the light is required.

To install a light with a switch you will need 4 connections.

Permanant Live

Neutral

Earth

Switched Live.

Permanant live is to ensure continuity and power to each light on the circuit, as is the need for a neutral.

Earth will be required through the circuit for safety and effective use of the rcd if used.

Then we come to the switched live.

All you are doing is making a mechanical break in the live circuit.

If it is a one way switch, this is done by a two core cable one core is used as a permanant live, the other is switched and completes the circuit once the switch is thrown.

Now if it is a two way switch you will need to link these switches, this is done by adding a third "wire" into the mix.

Commonly called a strapper, if you look at the diagram above you will see the effects this strapper has on the circuit.

All conections are made like for like ie:- common to common, L1 to L1 and so on.

Now when we get to intermediate switching, it is just the same but we have 4 connections,again strappers are used and are wired exactly the same, the common is normally connected "crimped through" and the remaining cables are connected just as before.

This would allow for multiple switching at as many points you require.

good post...

 

[Northern Electric]

Bruce,

No offence mate, but I think you need to have a bit of a refresher on 2 way and intermediate switching.

Every electrician should fully understand 2 way switching, intermediate switching is just an extension of 2 way switching.

Have a quick brush up of your notes.