three way lighting question

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

Hi folks

Currently got two way lighting at either end of entrance hall. would like to add a third switch on other side of wall, so back to back with one of the existing switches which currently has a three core and earth fitted


Does the existing switch im going through need to be changed to an intermediate switch? Currently a two way one.?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes.

 

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

Great

Cheers

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No.

But you might as well.

 

[ericmark]

Hi folks

Currently got two way lighting at either end of entrance hall. would like to add a third switch on other side of wall, so back to back with one of the existing switches which currently has a three core and earth fitted


Does the existing switch im going through need to be changed to an intermediate switch? Currently a two way one.?

No you take the two wires going to L1 and L2 i.e. Not Com to the new switch then back from new switch to L1 and L2 of old switch.

 

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

Thanks

So existing switch has a blue, yellow and red wire.

I have run a new harmonised three core between the new and existing switches

Which wires go where?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) Decide whether you want to replace the existing switch with the intermediate, or put the intermediate in the new position.

2) http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:intermediate#diagrams

 

[bernardgreen]

The existing switch needs to be changed to an intermediate. The switch you remove from there becomes the switch for the new location. That way requires only one cable between the switches

Assuming the old switch is labelled COM L1 L2

The wires in L1 and L2 go to L1 and L2 on the intermediate.
The wire in COM goes to a terminal block

The new cable brown to the terminal block
Grey and black to the other L1 and L2 teminals.

On the new switch brown to the COM
Grey and black to L1 and L2

It doesn't matter which way L1 and L2 are connected provided that each cable has a wire connected to an L1 and a wire connected to an L2


Earth wires to be connected to the earth teminals.

 

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

The existing switch needs to be changed to an intermediate. The switch you remove from there becomes the switch for the new location. That way requires only one cable between the switches

Assuming the old switch is labelled COM L1 L2

The wires in L1 and L2 go to L1 and L2 on the intermediate.
The wire in COM goes to a terminal block

The new cable brown to the terminal block
Grey and black to the other L1 and L2 teminals.

On the new switch brown to the COM
Grey and black to L1 and L2

It doesn't matter which way L1 and L2 are connected provided that each cable has a wire connected to an L1 and a wire connected to an L2


Earth wires to be connected to the earth teminals.

Thanks

 

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

1) Decide whether you want to replace the existing switch with the intermediate, or put the intermediate in the new position.

2) http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:intermediate#diagrams[/QUOTE]

Cheers

 

[bernardgreen]

PS I forget to say the intermediate will have two terminals labelled L1 and two labelled L2 All four must be used.

 

[EFLImpudence]

No.
But you might as well.

Precisely.

Does the existing switch im going through need to be changed to an intermediate switch? Currently a two way one.?

No you take the two wires going to L1 and L2 i.e. Not Com to the new switch

Why?
Why NO?
Will they reach?
Can I crimp solid cores or shall I have a box full of connectors?

Why would I do this rather than connect these wires to the new switch at the same location?

then back from new switch to L1 and L2 of old switch.

The advantage of this extra wiring is what, exactly?
(A ring final circuit for one socket?)
Should I use six core and earth?

There does seem to be a tendency lately for thinking of more complicated ways of doing something rather than the obvious simple way.

 

[houstonwehaveaproblem]

cheers folks all sorted