wiring a double switch

[swes]

Hi people im STUCK,

Can some one either explain,or link me to a diagram.

I have two rows of spots to wire and want to switch the rows individually ok?

can i some how wire 3 core in to the double switch to one set of spots,Then bridge the same wire over to the second set of spots and have them on differnt switches thanks

 

[sparkwright]

It can be done with one 3 core and earth cable, assuming you don't want any other switches at the other end of the room (ie 2 way).

You would use one core (brown typically) as the permanent live. This would would go to the common of one switch, then a short link from here to the common of the second switch.

Then another core would go to L1 of one switch.

Remaining core to L1 of remaining switch.

You would need to fit an accessible junction box somewhere to connect the feeds, cables to spots, and this switch wire.

You don't say if this is an entirely new installation, or if you are looking for an easy way to convert an existing installation.

There are other methods of wiring up two banks of spots.

 

[sparkwright]

Your junction box may consist of
one or more FEED cable (L and N)
one (L and N) cable serving ROW 1
one (L and N) cable serving ROW 2
one 3 core and earth cable to SWITCH

You ideally need a 6 terminal junction box 20 amp. 5 terminals would be used.

Connect all earths together, sleeved with earth sleeving.
Connect all FEED lives and brown of SWITCH together.
Connect all FEED neutrals and both ROWS neutrals together.
Connect ROW 1 live and black of SWITCH together.
Connect ROW 2 live and grey of SWITCH together.

There are other ways to do this.

The black and grey of SWITCH wire should be sleeved with brown sleeving to show it is live conductor.

If you are using old 3 core and earth cable;
red = brown
yellow = black usually
blue = grey usually

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Why are you chaps going on about joint boxes, when it's perfectly clear from the O/P that there's no such need?

All he needs to do is take his 3C&E switch wire to the first row of fittings, then use a simple connector at that point to feed the second S/L to the second /row of fittings along with the N&E.

Provided that all joints are accessible within the fittings, then a joint box is quite unnecessary.


Lucia.