One for the sparkies among us?

[gasmansteve]

Hi folks
I`m no stranger to household wiring but this has got me scratching me head :lol: .
My daughter has asked me to change a few light switches in her house as they are decorating. I`m ok with a 2 switch stair/landing set up no probs but my daughter has 2 switches on the landing and one at the bottom of the stairs making 3 in total any one of which can turn on/off the landing light. I`ve changed the one at the bottom and one on the landing but this third one has three cables going into it. Its a week or two since I last looked at it but I think its only a single gang two way switch so I guess I could get the meter out and suss it that way, just never seen three switches operating one light before :?:
Cheers
Steve

 

[9fingers]

You can have as many switches as you like. Each 'end' of the chain has a single pole 2 way and all the others are called intermediate switches and are four terminal devices.

In one position a connects to c and b connects to d and the other position a connects to d and b connects to c.

hope this helps

Bob

 

[Eric The Viking]

You can have as many switches as you like. Each 'end' of the chain has a single pole 2 way and all the others are called intermediate switches and are four terminal devices.

In one position a connects to c and b connects to d and the other position a connects to d and b connects to c.

hope this helps

Bob

That's one like this:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ele...es/10A+Switch+Intermediate/d190/sd2633/p64431

Beware that this particular one is a bit clunky: we've one fitted here and it feels more like an isolator than a light switch. But it does work though. All the big names make them, so you'll probably find one to match in with the others in the house.

 

[Dibs-h]

just never seen three switches operating one light before :?:

We do - it used to be in the Wickes wiring handout they used to give before Part P came about.

It's as Bob says - intermediate switches and single 2 poles on the other end.

Can try and find the Wickes thingy if it's any help and PDF it?

HIH

Dibs

 

[gasmansteve]

Thanks for that lads
I`ll double check how many terminals it has, so if its using 4 then I need an `intermediate` switch? great cheers for that.
Steve

 

[RogerS]

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/three_way_lighting.htm

This has a wiring diagram.

 

[StevieB]

Spot on Roger - that diagram is the one I used to do my two way wiring. Problem with mine was I have 3 switches top, bottom and middle (3 floors) so any floor can be done from any floor. No trouble with the wiring but can I find a 2 gang 3 or 4 switch intermediate front plate - can I bug*er. Had to go with 3 independent switches on the middle floor. If anyone knows of one then let me know - am constantly on the lookout for one.

Steve

 

[9fingers]

MK gridswitch modules and plate used to be the way to do this when I used them 25 years ago. I assume there is still something similar available.

Bob

 

[RogerS]

Spot on Roger - that diagram is the one I used to do my two way wiring. Problem with mine was I have 3 switches top, bottom and middle (3 floors) so any floor can be done from any floor. No trouble with the wiring but can I find a 2 gang 3 or 4 switch intermediate front plate - can I bug*er. Had to go with 3 independent switches on the middle floor. If anyone knows of one then let me know - am constantly on the lookout for one.

Steve

Steve..check out tlc-direct. They have a pretty comprehensive range online

 

[StevieB]

Hi Bob, yup, grid switches is the way I have gone for now - 3 into a 2 gang plate and one blanking cover but it doesn't look pretty (according to SWMBO) and she would prefer a standard 2 gang 4 switch plate if possible (4th switch doing nothing).

Roger - tried all the usual suspects with no joy, they just don't seem to be available. Odd given the number of 3 story townhouses springing up on new builds to maximise bedrooms on a minimal footprint - you would think the middle landing would be able to switch the top and bottom as well. Not sure how they do it as I don't live in one though!

Steve

 

[RogerS]

What...not like this one, Steve ?

http://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/3-gang-in ... -5293.html :wink:

There is also a UK company, whose name escapes me for the moment, who make up switch configurations to suit.

 

[wobblycogs]

I had exactly the same problem when wiring the lights in our place. I compromised by just installing two 2-way circuits with a double switch on the first floor. If you are going from the ground to the second floor you have to switch the lights half way but that's not much of a hardship. The only slightly annoying time is if you're on the top floor and you realize you've left the ground floor lights on - doh!

 

[RogerS]

Here we go

http://www.wandsworthgroup.com/Products ... cessories/

excellent if a bit pricey but then quality and design does come at a premium often.

 

[RogerS]

I had exactly the same problem when wiring the lights in our place. I compromised by just installing two 2-way circuits with a double switch on the first floor. If you are going from the ground to the second floor you have to switch the lights half way but that's not much of a hardship. The only slightly annoying time is if you're on the top floor and you realize you've left the ground floor lights on - doh!

I see the conundrum. You need one intermediate switch (per floor light to be switched) and located at the middle floor. easy peasy with the Wandsworth switches. You simply choose the front panel, style, colour and finish and then you choose whatever combination of switches you want inside.

 

[StevieB]

What...not like this one, Steve ?

http://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/3-gang-in ... -5293.html :wink:

There is also a UK company, whose name escapes me for the moment, who make up switch configurations to suit.

Starting at £80 plus vat for a switch plate :shock: SWMBO would then want all the other switches to match this one. Think I will stick with the grid switches for now, thanks all the same!

Steve