Intermediate to 2 way lights confusion : )

[Electric_Yoda]

Hi guys

Going to look at a friends lights tomorrow.

Basically he has a long hall/kitchen - light in hall, light in kitchen. Both lights operate together.

Switch at either end - one in hall, one in kitchen. Halfway along intermediate switch also.

He wants it so each light operates independently. And change the intermediate to a 2 gang 2 way to operate either. So basically making it into 2 x 2 way setups

Now ..... bear with me ...I always get confused when I think too hard about lights :_|

Am I right in thinking I will need to run another switch cable in ? Its not as simple as just changing the intermediate switch for a 2G 2Way is it ?

It will probably all make sense when I actually look tomorrow but my head is hurting thinking about it . LOL

Cheers

 

[Evans Electric]

No.

 

[Andy™]

lots of new wiring req'd. you would need a new cable between light with perm supply(assuming other light is fed from sw live here, and not direct from switch) and switch, and from this switch to middle switch

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Ignore the earths for the moment...

Intermediate only has 2 x 2 core cables coming in...

2 x 2 way needs at least 2 x 3 core.

do the maths..

you are missing some wires!!!

:_|

 

[Electric_Yoda]

Ignore the earths for the moment...Intermediate only has 2 x 2 core cables coming in...

2 x 2 way needs at least 2 x 3 core.

do the maths..

you are missing some wires!!!

:_|

Thanks for replies guys. Having slept on it of course some rewiring is needed. Duh :Blushing

Special Location ...The intermediate at the moment will surely have 3 core entering and leaving though won't it ??

Cheers

 

[Andy™]

Thanks for replies guys. Having slept on it of course some rewiring is needed. Duh :Blushing Special Location ...The intermediate at the moment will surely have 3 core entering and leaving though won't it ??

Cheers

depends.... if its wired as T&E from light to switch 1, int then 2, then probably. but is swich 1 gets a live, then it may be twin to int and 2 and then single to light

 

[a1]

Two way ligting circuit wiring diagram

Three way (indtermediate) lighting circuit wiring diagram

Both diagrams (as well as others) are available in download area (larger view).

---------- AUTO MERGE Post added at 13:49 ---------- Previous post was at 13:40 ----------

Ignore the earths for the moment...Intermediate only has 2 x 2 core cables coming in...

2 x 2 way needs at least 2 x 3 core.

do the maths..

you are missing some wires!!!

:_|

Would be interested in seeing a diagram on this one, so I can copy it and add it to our download section, if anyone is interested?

Busy working on the forum upgrade at present. :Salute

 

[Andy™]

Would be interested in seeing a diagram on this one, so I can copy it and add it to our download section, if anyone is interested?

Busy working on the forum upgrade at present. :Salute

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Thanks for replies guys. Having slept on it of course some rewiring is needed. Duh :Blushing Special Location ...The intermediate at the moment will surely have 3 core entering and leaving though won't it ??

Cheers

I was relating to just the physical contacts on the switch itself..

quantities of connections..

( as Andy has illustrated )

As you say it is possible that it could be wired taking 2 x 3cores, 7 strapping the 3rd cores though bypassing the actual switch itself.

If it was wired in singles, or a conduit installation it is more possible that only the essential 2 x 2 cores have been taken through the switch.

 

[Evans Electric]

Yoda , you could always have a look. Most intermediates will just have a pair of strappers in & out but there could be a 3 core , This can only be dealt with on site really .

 

[kme]

I have been known to take my 3C+E between 2 way switches through the int. switch, and break the strappers across the switch - in which case the fix would be really easy!!!!! (n.b. I always tend to use this method - is it called "method 2" iirc???)

:slap

 

[a1]

That is my preferred method, KME.

 

[Electric_Yoda]

Hi guys

I went rnd and sorted this out today.

As often the case once I was there and got my head rnd it, it was straightforward.

Swapped intermediate for 2g 2w. 3 cores all in position. Just had to run new switch cable in for the kitchen light.

All good.

Cheers

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Dont do what i have seen a few times, use the Cpc as the missing live

 

[batty]

Dont do what i have seen a few times, use the Cpc as the missing live

Thats shocking.

 

[Andy™]

Thats shocking.

especially when they still use G/Y sleeving. or sometimes selotape.