The L1s A & B are COM.
intermediate light switch help
- Thread starter Headtotoes
- Start date
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That seems to be a probable 'assumption', but how do you 'know'?
Kind Regards, John
Well, I suppose I don't 'know' but switches like that are 'like that' and why would it not be the case?
That makes it the same as Bernard's picture and similar switches. If not, why would L2 or L3 be the COM?
That makes it the same as Bernard's picture and similar switches. If not, why would L2 or L3 be the COM?
Aah, I was looking for the triangles, rather than actually reading the labels
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Hmmm. Do you think that (without instructions) 'the average electrician' would be confident about how to wire a 6-terminal 'intermediate switch', whatever the arrangement and labelling of the terminals?
Don't forget that, to name but two people, neither you nor I have ever seen anything like this before!
Kind Regards, John
It's not a 6-terminal intermediate switch; it is two 2-way switches.
I cannot speak for 'the average electrician'.
I have seen a two-gang two-way switch many times.
I am puzzled why you think it would be difficult when you said you wish you had seen one before as there were no DPDT 240V switches which you wanted.
The average electrician may have to think a bit but if instructions are included with the switch then he or she should be able to cable it up without necessarily understanding how the circuit works,
So it seems, but it is apparently sold as an intermediate switch.
Nor can I. However, I very much doubt that many of them have ever encountered a two-gang two-way switch with a 'combined' single rocker, let alone even considering using such a product to emulate an intermediate switch.
As have I - but, as above, never before with 'linked rockers' (i.e. a single rocker).
I'm not sure what you mean by 'difficult'. Needless to say, I have always realised that it would be very simple to mechanically link (i.e. 'single rocker') two SPDT switches so as to produce a DPDT one, which is the very reason I'm been surprised that no-one (until now!) seems to have produced one - but, for reasons I've explained, I'm not totally comfortable with the idea of wiring one of those to emulate 'intermediate switch' functionality.
It would be perfectly reasonable if a switch such as we have 'found' were described as, say, a "DP two-way switch", leaving users to then decide whether they were comfortable to wire it as an 'intermediate'.
Kind Regards, John
One way would be this...
EDIT:
Photo edited to match labels on OPs existing switch.
(And assuming L1A and L1B are common etc.)
Sorry, it's a bit difficult to draw pictures on a phone...
EDIT:
Photo edited to match labels on OPs existing switch.
(And assuming L1A and L1B are common etc.)
Sorry, it's a bit difficult to draw pictures on a phone...
Last edited:
Indeed - that's why I said "(without instructions)".
I'm waiting to hear whether the OP's new switch came with (reasonable and 'correct'!) instructions for its use as an intermediate switch!
Kind Regards, John
Perhaps a more linear view would make it easier to understand:
Does it remind you of anything?
Does it remind you of anything?
Needless to say, I do 'understand' - but I still think that many/most electricians would (without 'instructions') be initially 'thrown' by something sold as an intermediate switch which had 6 terminals.
Many/most are familiar with the fact that an intermediate switch can be wired to produce "two-way" (or "one way") functionality. However, presumably because DPDT switches have not (hitherto) been available, they are unlikley to be familiar with wiring such a switch for use as an intermediate.
Kind Regards, John
Maybe, but it does look like two two-way switches.
How long did it take us to figure out once we were told what it was?
Maybe but so what?
I still do not see the point of doing it when other manufacturers just make intermediate switches and BG at least can do it for £2.89 (probably 10p from China).
It does - but, as I keep saying, virtually no-one is used to wiring a pair of ('linked') two-way switches to emulate an intermediate one (not the least because they have probably never previously seen "a pair of ('linked') two-way switches")
"So" ... most people first encountering something sold as an intermediate switch which had 6 terminals would probably not (without instructions) initially know how to wire it to provide intermediate switch functionality.
Nor do I.
Kind Regards, John
I now recall where I saw a 6 terminal intermediate switch, it was in a factory wet area installation.
Very similar to this simulation I created using photos of a BG water proof switch,
Very similar to this simulation I created using photos of a BG water proof switch,
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