Two way intermediate switch wiring

[Taylortwocities]

I can see a yellow wire in both the up and the down switches. I have an idea what has been done and have an inkling how to make it work.
Need to know where those two yellow wires go to first.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I can see a yellow wire in both the up and the down switches. I have an idea what has been done and have an inkling how to make it work.
Need to know where those two yellow wires go to first.

Also pls confirm that you only have two switches.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

There isn't three switches, its just the downstairs 2 gang switch and then the upstairs intermediate switch. The photo I have just sent is the intermediate switch.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

In the intermediate switch the yellow cable goes to the earth point in the back box, I'm going to open the downstairs switch now and send some pictures.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

This is the downstairs switch.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

There isn't three switches, its just the downstairs 2 gang switch and then the upstairs intermediate switch. The photo I have just sent is the intermediate switch.

An intermediate switch is a switch designed to work with two other 2 way switches, connected in the middle of the two wires called 'strappers'. In fact many intermediate switches can be used, if fitted to a multiple staircase. If you only have in total two switches, then an intermediate is wrong the wrong type of switch. Two switch positions just need 2x 2 way switches.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

Ok thanks Harry, I do understand that but I've read that an intermediate switch can also be used as a 2 way switch? Is that not correct?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

View attachment 169872 View attachment 169873 View attachment 169874 This is the downstairs switch.

That looks as if the yellow has been utilised as the earth wire in those photos.

 

[EFLImpudence]

If you only have in total two switches, then an intermediate is wrong the wrong type of switch. Two switch positions just need 2x 2 way switches.

Intermediate switches can be used as 1-way, 2-way or intermediate.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

Yes I think the yellow has been used as the earth now I look at it. I presume that must be part of the problem?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Intermediate switches can be used as 1-way, 2-way or intermediate.

Thinking about it, yes, you are correct. I have never done that, because intermediates are several times the cost of a one way or a two way.

 

[Nicholas Lee]

Yes that's what I thought

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes I think the yellow has been used as the earth now I look at it. I presume that must be part of the problem?

It hasn't been used AS an earth.

Attaching to the earth terminal is a way of safely terminating unused wires - whether the earth terminal itself is connected to earth is another matter.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yes I think the yellow has been used as the earth now I look at it. I presume that must be part of the problem?

Maybe, maybe not - is the best answer at the moment. It all looks very confused. If the yellow is an earth, why did they have a second earth wire with sleeving connected to a switch itself, but the switches earth is not connected to the metal back box?

 

[Nicholas Lee]

It seems strange though that the yellow on both switches has been put onto the back box upstairs and then the switch earth downstairs don't you think? And then as you say Harry I don't do understand why there is a yellow/green earth that has been connected to the switch upstairs?