2 way switch problem

[Fatha]

I just bought a new house, so all the wiring (was) ok!

I went to replace a pendant light with a new light fitting, wired it as I thought, but only realised (when I put the power back to the lights but they would not turn off), that I had not taken into consideration that the light was wired with a 2 way switch, one at the kitchen door and one at the back door. As an added complication, where the light fitting is, also acts a spur the more lighting. How do I put this right please and how do I identify which wiring is which?

 

[jj4091]

The wikki gives a circuit diagram for 2-way lighting circuits, but you will need a multi-meter & the ability to use it in order to identify which cables go where. The most likely senario is you will have 1 cable for power in, 1 cable for power out to the next fitting & a third which will go to 1 of the 2-way switches.

 

[Lectrician]

A photo, or a tleast a description of what cables and cores you have would help immensly.

 

[securespark]

STOP!


If you have only removed the fitting, not any switches, the chances are you have not altered the way the switches operate.

If the fitting does not turn off, you have wired the live loop to the fitting live. Maybe you have also wired the switchwire to the neutral. Does the MCB pop when you operate either of the 2 way switches??

If not, you may have, if the switch cable has two same-colour cores, put them both to the live.

If indeed you have a cable at the ceiling position which has two cores either red or brown, then one needs to go to the fitting live, and all the other reds (or browns) to their own terminal block. Then all blacks (or blues) go to the neutral terminal (and all earths to the body of the fitting, if Class I).

If you have a bunch of cables that are all red/black (or brown/blue), then you need to ID which is which...