Top and Bottom Stairs 2-Way Switches not working correctly

[tay_highfield]

Hi All,

Was hoping someone would be able to help. Have a flat with an entrance leading to a set of stairs with a light at the top.

At the bottom of the stairs is this switch with the following wiring.

The at the top of the stairs is the following switch with the following wiring.

The problem is that only one switch can be used at a time. If the bottom switch is used to turn the light on, the bottom switch must be used to turn the light off, the top switch will not work.

If the top switch is used to turn the light on, the top switch must be used to turn the light off, the bottom switch will not work.

Obviously this means going back up/down the stairs which is becoming a pain.

Both switches are marked as 2-Way.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[John D v2.0]

unfortunately the cable from one to the other is only 2 core and earth. You need 3 cores and an earth for 2 way switching. Basically you would connect the other core from the L2 of the first switch to the L2 of the second switch, and the live feed on one of the L1, and the core to the light on the L2. Google a diagram of 2 way switching for the clear explanation.
edit: flameport has some nice diagrams here: https://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_circuits_diagrams.cs4

 

[333rocky333]

It was proberly wired like that to use Two Pneumatic Time lag switches and someone has removed them and fitted normal switches

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwj--vfa8ePTAhXlLsAKHbw5C44QvhcILg&adurl=

Other electronic types available, though not all work with no neutral or with certain types of lightbulb.

some switch and slave unit set up's will work with wiring like that, but are hard to find in NON dimmable format

 

[endecotp]

In your second picture, are the two earth wires just twisted together under the green and yellow sleeving?
They should really be joined in a terminal, like the other wires are.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do you own, or rent, the flat?

 

[ianniann]

unfortunately the cable from one to the other is only 2 core and earth. You need 3 cores and an earth for 2 way switching. Basically you would connect the other core from the L2 of the first switch to the L2 of the second switch, and the live feed on one of the L1, and the core to the light on the L2. Google a diagram of 2 way switching for the clear explanation.
edit: flameport has some nice diagrams here: https://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_circuits_diagrams.cs4

You can wire 2-way switches with only 2 cores and an earth, provided that you have a separate neutral wire available to the lamp. This is very common in older setups, although no longer recommended. See the first 2-way diagram at the link. The second 2-way diagram shows the recommended 3-core + earth wiring.

 

[ianniann]

Assuming all the black cores are switched lives, isn't the quick fix just to swap the wires in the top switch? Do you have a picture of the ceiling rose wiring?

To avoid future confusion, I'm editing to state that this is just wrong. Don't try it, won't work, can't work.

 

[securespark]

You still need (at least) 3 wires at each switch to achieve 2 way switching.

 

[securespark]

Blacks at switches will be switched line. But you still need 3 live conductors at the bottom switch. There are only two.

 

[mwatsonxx]

You can wire 2-way switches with only 2 cores and an earth, provided that you have a separate neutral wire available to the lamp. This is very common in older setups, although no longer recommended. See the first 2-way diagram at the link. The second 2-way diagram shows the recommended 3-core + earth wiring.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, but this ain't one of them.

 

[tay_highfield]

Thanks all, so does the general consensus seem to be that with the current wires available, 2-Way switching is not possible?

 

[EFLImpudence]

It is not.


As Rocky said, it is wired for timer switches.

If it is flats, you would not want two-way switching as someone else may turn it off when you are part way up or down.
Obviously, even with timer switches, they may time-out if you are slow but you can't have everything.

 

[tay_highfield]

Thought the 2 wires in the bottom switch hinted at that but thought would just check with some more knowledge people.

Looks like it might be the timer switch option.

 

[mwatsonxx]

Thanks all, so does the general consensus seem to be that with the current wires available, 2-Way switching is not possible?

Yes it would mean rewiring with consequent damage to decorations, and future extra electricity cost due to the lights not being switched OFF. I would refit pneumatic timer switches, as someone advised earlier.

 

[tay_highfield]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

Timer switches it is.