splitting a bank of Downlights currently on a single 3 way

[boblatif]

Hello All,

My first post, so apologise if this has been covered elsewhere, but I have been unable to locate the answer.

Have just moved to a property where the kitchen and lounge has a bank of 16 GU10 downlights lights controlled by a three way single gang circuit.

I want to split the lights into two banks of 8 lights each controlled from a single switch, and removing the third switch out of the circuit altogether.

Is this something that can be achieved by rewiring the switches and breaking the link between the banks of lights? or will major re-wiring be required? The ceiling plasterboards are scerwed direclty to beams leaving no void space for feeding new cables, so I am trying to minimise the work required.

I would apprecaite finding out exactly what information you pros need to diagnose a solution.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

 

[sparkyspike]

I don't think there are any short cuts with the set up you have. Can you identify what kind of wiring set up you have? In particular which cables you have in which switch terminals, and which ones are permanently live. Also is there a juntion box in the ceiling with more than the normal one or two twinandearth cables going to it, or are they wired in a daisy-chain directy from one of the switches?

 

[boblatif]

Hi Sparky

(See attached images)

The lights are all on a daisy chain. I have located the break and managed to seperate the two banks as I want them. I currently have the 8 kitchen lights working on the existing 3 way swithes, but the lounge is now without power.

Switch 1, Located in the hall and is the one where most of the wires seem to emanate from. It is the Gangway on the right that we are interested in. The left gangway is for the hall light and of no interest. I would like this to be 2 way for the kitchen lights

Switch 2. Located in the Kitchen and I want this to be a 2 way with the hall switch.

Switch 3. I want this to be a single way controlling the currently unpowered lounge.

Thanks in advance

bob

 

[sparkyspike]

Hi Bob. I can't see your images, but it looks like the only way to get power to your lounge without redecorating is to tie 3-core cable to your existing 2-core cable which feeds the kitchen lights and pull the new cable through on the old cable, until you reach the last 8 lights, then leave them as they are. You'll only be able to do this if the cables are not clipped to the joists. How you connect it at the switch and how you wire the remaining switches depends on the exact wiring you have at the switch.