3-WAY LIGHT SWITCHING

Fruitloops · 30 May 2020

I’ve added an intermediate switch to a lighting circuit making it 3-way; all okay for a few weeks but lights came on ‘automatically’ and would not switch off; I’ve checked wiring and changed switches all to no avail; could someone please advise? (I’ve gone back to 2-way switching utilising the intermediate switch as one of the switches and all okay)

sparkwright · 30 May 2020

Hard to say, isn't it?

If you've eliminated the possibility of faulty switches or broken wires then we are half way there.

Odd that you've just noticed the fault, it may be the fault was always there, but PERHAPS it's only become apparent because one switch has been switched that hadn't been before.

If you see what I mean???

We need pictures or descriptions of the wiring - all 3 switches - and anything else related.

SUNRAY · 30 May 2020

Fruitloops said:
I’ve added an intermediate switch to a lighting circuit making it 3-way; all okay for a few weeks but lights came on ‘automatically’ and would not switch off; I’ve checked wiring and changed switches all to no avail; could someone please advise? (I’ve gone back to 2-way switching utilising the intermediate switch as one of the switches and all okay)

Other than a switch going faulty or a damaged cable/wire there's no too much to go wrong.

Was it definitely working properly, did you test all 8 combinations.
We will need pictures and/or circuits to help.

EDIT: Beaten by SW

SUNRAY · 30 May 2020

What test kit do you have?

Fruitloops · 31 May 2020

Thanks for responses - no test kit and I need to check all switching combinations

securespark · 31 May 2020

Have you got earth wires in the lighting cables?

Fruitloops · 31 May 2020

Thanks again to all responders - problem now resolved, ‘damaged’ 3 core cable between intermediate and one of the 2-way switches - replaced and now all working as expected

SUNRAY · 31 May 2020

Well done, thanks for letting us know it's sorted.

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3-WAY LIGHT SWITCHING

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