5 Way Switching?

[Huddersfield]

Well I've moved into a house that used to belong to my Grandad. He used to work for the Yorkshire Electricity Board and in my hall he has wired a 5 way switch configuration (god only knows why-other parts if the house hold equally crazy wiring that is baffling me-like the three phase supply to my garage and the 7 individual metres in the garage!!??????).

I planned to replace the old white fittings with some nice brushed alu ones. So I ordered some from screwfix (all 2 way). unfortunatley I didn't do my research first and didn't appreciate that intermediate switches were required. So, Screwfix do not sell intermediate switches (in any style). I've also opened the switches-so I am stuck with them.

Is there any way that the 2 way switches can be used to make my 5 switching config work? I doubt it, but worth asking as I am a very novice DIY'er? Thanks in advance.

 

[breezer]

NO (not without relays, but we wont go there)

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Nope - you're stuck with them, and with the consequences of using a supplier like Screwfix who are only interested in the popular stuff.

Looks like you'll be standardising on brushed metal switches throughout the house.....

Would any of these from TLC be a close enough match?:

n-way switching with 2 x 2-way switches and any number of intermediates is not by definition "crazy" - it can be a perfectly valid system. I've got 3-way switching in my bedroom for the centre light - 1 switch by the door and 1 each side of the bed. You say that you don't know why your Granddad put 5 switches in the hall, which implies that you don't need them - why not do away with the middle 3?

Re the garage - 7 individual metres of what?

Seriously - if there is a 3-phase supply in there, get it taken out. It's unlikely to be of any use to you, if you're very much a novice it will just provide you with new and interesting ways to make mistakes, and I can't believe that it isn't costing you more.

 

[MANDATE]

I'm a little puzzled with your 5 way switch configuration.
If you do have 5 way switching why would they all be in the hall to control one light/set.
Or do you mean you have 5 switches in the hall used for various lighting circuits, some being for more than 1 or 2 way