3 way light switch

[dazzler9000]

Hello,

I have a 3 way light switch, one feeds the upstairs light, one downstairs and one that feeds the porch light.

I wanted to get rid of the porch light as somebody always switches it off anyway and my hue smart bulb never works. I've also fed from somewhere else now.

My question is, how do I know what cables I need to unwire from the switch?

Here's a pic of the switch if this helps. Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

A three-way switch is where one light can be operated from three switches at three locations.

Yours is a three-gang switch - each being a triangle with COM, L1 and L2 and separate from each other - the middle one being upside down to the others.

So which switch operates the outside light?

Might need a better picture so we can see exactly where all the wires go.

 

[ericmark]

A three-way switch is where one light can be operated from three switches at three locations.

Is it, I thought a three way switch was where it had three options so for example could light green, amber or red?

So three way switch has three positions, even if centre is off.

It seems likely looking at a two way switch, I would guess something like this

three switches allowing two options on or off. The switch to right can be changed to on/off, but think the switch shown more likely switch to left? It seems we have a three gang switch but I can't quite work out what is required.

 

[bernardgreen]

A three-way switch is where one light can be operated from three switches at three locations.

I have to agree with Eric, a three way switch is a single switch that has COM, L1 L2 and L3

A three way switching circuit has three switches, two are two way switches ( COM L1 L2 ) and one is an intermediate switch.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have to agree with Eric, a three way switch is a single switch that has COM, L1 L2 and L3

Well, ok, three-way switching as opposed to three way switch.

Either way; not what the OP has - three two-way switches - or meant.

 

[dazzler9000]

Sorry for the delay. Yeah, I could have mentioned this in my initial post..... The switch I need to decommission is the one to the far right, which would be the far left in the pic (the side where the earth cable is).

I'll grab a better pic tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[dazzler9000]

Let me know if this is any good.

 

[SUNRAY]

Sorry for the delay. Yeah, I could have mentioned this in my initial post..... The switch I need to decommission is the one to the far right, which would be the far left in the pic (the side where the earth cable is).

I'll grab a better pic tomorrow.

Thanks

If all you want to do is safely stop the switch doing anything, the simplest way is to remove the red link [arrowed red] and make sure the red wire [arrowed green] is secure when the screw is done back up.

If you are replacing the switch with a 2 gang, remove the link then disconnect the yellow wire [arrowed yellow] and make it safe such as putting a choc bloc on the end. That will leave a completely empty switch.

 

[dazzler9000]

If all you want to do is safely stop the switch doing anything, the simplest way is to remove the red link [arrowed red] and make sure the red wire [arrowed green] is secure when the screw is done back up.
View attachment 231240If you are replacing the switch with a 2 gang, remove the link then disconnect the yellow wire [arrowed yellow] and make it safe such as putting a choc bloc on the end. That will leave a completely empty switch.

That's brilliant, thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I will sort out at the weekend. Is it safe to test the other end of the cable afterwards with a multi meter?

 

[SUNRAY]

That's brilliant, thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I will sort out at the weekend. Is it safe to test the other end of the cable afterwards with a multi meter?

Set it to acV higher than 240, test before and after.