Please explain 1 way, 1 way, 3 way light switches to me

[jazbo]

I want to replace the old switches, and am totally confused as to what to buy.

In a room with one light and one switch, I assume a one way switch is what I need.

In the hall there is one light, with switches top and bottom. So a two way switch?

If that is correct, then when would I need a three way switch? Is it as simple as that? If so, I dont understand why Homebase for example seem to only sell 2/3 way switches. Can a 2 way be used for a single switch/light setup?

 

[OwainDIYer]

A 2-way switch can be used as a 1-way switch.

3-way switches are what Americans call our 2-way switches.

If you want to have 3 or more switches on the same light you need Intermediate switches.

Tumbler switch circuits are found in
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=86916598176245869948

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And the reason the OP will be helped by telling him how they did things 100 years ago is what, Owain?



jazbo - read the articles here: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting

 

[OwainDIYer]

I don't think 1-way, 2-way and intermediate switch circuits have changed in the last 100 years.

 

[sparkwright]

If there is just one switch for the light, then a 1 way switch with two terminals is used. A 2 way switch can be used as well.

If two switches control the light, you use two 2 way switches. These have three terminals.

If you need to switch the light from three or more positions, you will need two 2 way switches, and then the remaining switches will be intermediate switches. Intermediate switches have four terminals.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I don't think 1-way, 2-way and intermediate switch circuits have changed in the last 100 years.

He was talking about your reference to "tumbler switches". Very pre-war!

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 12 Jun 2012
• 1

This pic from a book published in 1917.

 

[securespark]

I'm sure sparkwright knows this but you can also use an intermediate switch (not that you'd want to unless you were desperate) to switch as a one way switch.

 

[ericmark]

Love the book remember on a farm with those always used my hat as sometimes they became live.

However the terms 1 way, and 2 way depends on where you find the switch. As a commercial electrician I remember wondering how you could ever get a 1 way switch? To me it started at 2 way i.e. on or off. I used wafer switches which were 6 way 6 pole and the whole idea of domestic switching had me scratching my head.

It's all down to names the intermediate switch I called a change over switch. To compound this the two way switching taught when I was at school is completely different to what we use today.

The multi-switch used for many years follows this however today we have These which means we no longer have to run cables between the switches.

I will admit the jargon used is often a problem. Be it Lamp, Bulb, Two Way, it is a problem with the internet meaning we often read non UK sites. However this is a UK site and there are good help files on Wiki.