Stairs Lighting Issues

[foz11]

Been moved into this house 2 month now and just finished decorating the stairs

Changed the bottom light switch and the whole thing is totally not right, think its been like this before we moved in

BLACK - L1
RED - L2
Plain Wire with Green Covering - Earth on backing then to the front switch (its metal)
Grey - C

We only have one light downstairs which we still find strange and this is how it works


Both switches off = Light on
Both switches on = Light off
Up on - Down off = Light on
Up off - Down on = Light on

Can anyone help with that issue, and as a secondary question - how hard is it to add a light upstairs that will just come one when the downstairs is on...nothing fancy as i dont want to complicate things

Thanks

Michael

 

[ericmark]

There are loads of diagrams on how two way lighting works. i.e.

Number 2 is common method but need more than wiring to one switch to work out what is wired to what.

I will guess on a faulty switch which is stuck on. However not enough info given to be sure both Winky on here and my web site have loads on how they are wired and I think you need to do some reading.

 

[foz11]

i just mirrored the wiring from the socket upstairs as that was never touched...and it looks the same as most diagrams just different coloured wiring, thats why i posted as it all looks right just dont work.

Thanks for the faulty switch suggestion, il test that tomorrow

 

[ColJack]

you have it wired like 2, but the live is to the common.. meaning that if either switch is "off" then the lights will be on..

a photo of the back of each switch will help us..

it's odd that you have red, black and grey... very odd.
should be red, yellow and blue... OR... brown, black and grey..

should also be a red and black OR a brown and blue at one of the switches..

 

[333rocky333]

The grey may be double insulated single core.
There is no off /on position with 2 way, the light is on or off dependant on what switch is activated first and that could be either up or down.

 

[foz11]

This is the socket...there is a black/red/bare wire in a core then a separate grey wire.

The bare has a green cover on and attached to the back box bit, then i have added the earth from the back box to the switch to earth it.

The black goes into L1, the red goes into L2 and that grey one goes into C

 

[333rocky333]

A second light would need to be wired from the existing light and connected there.
It would then switch on and off with your existing one.

 

[foz11]

A second light would need to be wired from the existing light and connected there.
It would then switch on and off with your existing one.

Just had the stairs plastered so think im going to have to go with a x10 setup and use some nifty home automation, or setup a PIR and a new rose at the top of the stairs from a bed room light??

 

[333rocky333]

In case you are unaware,
You cannot wire the light from the switch unfortunately, as the black wire is Unlikely to be a neutral.

 

[333rocky333]

Is the other switch the same with a grey wire in the common with R + B strappers, the grey one it looks double insulated ,ie under the grey is a red or black core.
as in erics diagram no 1

I would check the screw is tightened onto the copper in both switches for the R +B ones and not accidentally on the pvc insulation as that can cause the switching to not work in all combinations

 

[foz11]

In case you are unaware,
You cannot wire the light from the switch unfortunately, as the black wire is Unlikely to be a neutral.

id do it from the loft so using another rose from a bedroom? There is a Black/Red/Bare wire to every switch and rose in the house. Just the stairs have that extra grey one and thats only to the switch's

 

[foz11]

Is the other switch the same with a grey wire in the common with R + B strappers, the grey one it looks double insulated ,ie under the grey is a red or black core.

I would check the screw is tightened onto the copper in both switches for the R +B ones and not accidentally on the pvc insulation as that can cause the switching to not work in all combinations

The other switch is exactly the same, but its plastic so doesnt have the earth to the switch just to the back box.

 

[333rocky333]

the grey is to make the 2 way work.
The problem i think is with the R and B which goes from switch to switch for the 2 way, either not connected good, open circuit on one core, or maybe a faulty switch.

 

[ColJack]

we need a picture at the other switch too, and in the back of the ceiling rose..

that "grey" is probably black or red double insulated ( which is why it's thicker.. )

there's something wrong anyway.. with both up, or both down the light should be off..

one switch is stuck "on" and only switching the opposing switch "on" too turns the light off

 

[foz11]

other socket

and the cable where the rose was, has one temporarily attached to make sure its working before new light goes up.