Convert a three way switch back to two

[dmbarlow]

Hi,

can anyone help me? I have two rooms that were origionaly one with three way switchs, one by each door controlling the two lights in the room. Now the room has been split, each of the original light filltings and switches are in seperate rooms and I need to convert the switches to operate the lights independantly. Is there an easy way of doing this?

Thanks.

 

[breezer]

it depends on how it was wired in the first place.

sometimes it is easier and quicker to start again

look in the for refence section, it shows how it is done

 

[ban-all-sheds]

However it's wired it's always possible to replace a switch with a piece of choc-block (or two pieces if removing an intermediate) to make the connection(s) that the switch made in one position, leaving the remaining switch as a 1-way. You may need to swap L1/L2 on this one or turn it upside down to get it to work the right way.

If you understand how 2- and 3-way switches are wired it's quite straightforward. The only problem is you'll be left with odd wiring which will confuse the hell out of somebody in the future...

 

[breezer]

i disagree, since it was a double room with 2 ceiling lights being two way and intermeadiate switched,

to do as you suggest makes me wonder how is the 2nd light going to work since it was probably wired in paralel with the 1st light (as you would have done)

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Didn't think of that - it would never occur to me not to have 2-gang switches, in case I only wanted one end of the room lit....

And he does say he now wants to change it to work them "independently"; I didn't twig that......

Question though, dmbarlow - you have 3-way switching, one switch by each door, and now two rooms - do you want to keep 2-way switching in the room with 2 doors?

 

[dmbarlow]

Each door is now in a seperate room as well.

 

[breezer]

that is what i thought easiest way to re wire it

 

[dmbarlow]

Thanks All

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Each door is now in a seperate room as well.

But you have 2 rooms, 2 lights and 3 doors:

I have two rooms that were origionaly one with three way switchs, one by each door

 

[plugwash]

I have two rooms that were origionaly one with three way switchs, one by each door

or he is using the american definition of two way and three way

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That would be rather unhelpful....