Never heard of L4 before....

[Jever]

Hi all,

I have a house full of plugs and light switches that are old/broken/don't match the others and so I am going through the house swapping them all for new ones.

I have a single two-way light switch at the top of the stairs that I want to replace. However, when I opened it up, I noticed that it has four cable connections labelled L1, L2, L3 and L4. Each has wire(s) going to it.

My new switch only has L1, L2 and L3 (which I am familiar with) and so I'm not really sure how to swap them over.

Has anyone here come across this before?

I'd be grateful for any help you can offer.

Regards

Jever

 

[JohnW2]

I have a single two-way light switch at the top of the stairs that I want to replace. However, when I opened it up, I noticed that it has four cable connections labelled L1, L2, L3 and L4. Each has wire(s) going to it.

It is probably what is known as an 'intermediate switch', used one one light(s) is controlled by three or more separate switches.

My new switch only has L1, L2 and L3 (which I am familiar with) and so I'm not really sure how to swap them over.

If it is an intermediate switch, then you will have to replace it with another intermediate switch - the ('2-way') one you have would not be suitable.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Jever]

Hi John,

Yes, you're right, it's part of a three-switch system, I'll have to get the right replacement.

Thanks for your help.

Jever

 

[JohnW2]

Hi John, Yes, you're right, it's part of a three-switch system, I'll have to get the right replacement. Thanks for your help.

You're welcome.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

Mark the wires and take a pic before you disconnect. Switches have terminals marked in a variety of different ways!

 

[FrodoOne]

Mark the wires and take a pic before you disconnect. Switches have terminals marked in a variety of different ways!

Mark the wires and take a pic before you disconnect.
(Intermediate) switches have terminals marked (and connected) in a variety of different ways.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thank you for elaborating on what was a perfectly adequate post.
I’ll add to your addition.

You may find differences in the marking and connections to many types of switches differ. Not just intermediate switches.

 

[securespark]

Mark the wires and take a pic before you disconnect.
(Intermediate) switches have terminals marked (and connected) in a variety of different ways.

That advice applies no matter what kind of switch (or indeed accessory) it is and no matter how it has been connected.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yes, you're right, it's part of a three-switch system, I'll have to get the right replacement.

FYI - you can always use a switch in a "lower number of ways", but not vice-versa.

i.e. an intermediate can also be used as a 2-way, or a 1-way.

A 2-way can also be used as a 1-way.

 

[ericmark]

There are today other methods of having three or more switches, with switches using electronics be it a dimmer or a switch with some form of remote control, wifi for example there are other methods which only require 2 or 3 wires to do the same thing.

In true Blue Peter style

one I did earlier to show how the intermediate switch works, see S1. The problem is often finding an intermediate switch in the same style as existing switches.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have commented on your diagrams before, Eric, with regard to a DIY forum.

I should be interested to here from Jever and like to know if he can make sense of it.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Don't knock it EFLI. That is, by far, the shortest post that Eric has ever done!

 

[securespark]

I should be interested to here from Jever and like to know if he can make sense of it.

I can't make head nor tail of it!