Three gang switch but only two cables, what's going on?

[harrypotter]

Yes, that is correct.

I would use Brown to connect to the supply reds, but it doesn't really matter.

Whatever colours you use, at the new switch you must use the same colour for the L1 or its equivalent.

Thanks, I appreciate your help!

 

[paulmango]

The reds in L1 supply the power and the other three wires go to the three lights.

Next!.

You have no idea how this one consice explanation here has been a eureka moment for me. After trolling the net I landed on this and it's exactly what I needed to know in not so many words. You , sir, are the best explainer there is out there! Thanks mate!

 

[sparkwright]

Thanks for the replies. What's the benefit of this method? Only needing 2 versus 3 cables down to switch? I'm also trying to understand how it's all wired at the JBs or roses. This way is confusing me

The benefit of this method is:-
1) Fewer wires to mess about with in a shallow switch switch box.
2) Fewer cables to get in the conduit.

 

[sparkwright]

You have no idea how this one consice explanation here has been a eureka moment for me. After trolling the net I landed on this and it's exactly what I needed to know in not so many words. You , sir, are the best explainer there is out there! Thanks mate!

The OTHER eureka moment would probably have occurred IF they had put red sleeving over the black wires, as they sometimes did.

 

[paulmango]

The OTHER eureka moment would probably have occurred IF they had put red sleeving over the black wires, as they sometimes did.

Worse. No regard for cord color standards, flipping direction was upwards for all three; it's what got me here in the first place. Thanks that's all sorted now.

 

[harrypotter]

Worse. No regard for cord color standards, flipping direction was upwards for all three; it's what got me here in the first place. Thanks that's all sorted now.

Mine was like that too. Opened it up and thought "wtf is going on here?". Off I went to DIYnot to ask the experts.

 

[333rocky333]

If you know where them 2 cables go, you MAY be able to make your middle switch 2 way by running a 3 core from that end polnt to a new 2 way switch and repurposing one of those 2 cores as strappers