two way switching

[HawkEye244]

so there is a lounge with a central light and 2 wall lights.

all three lights are controlled independently by a 2 gang 2 way dimmer switch.

it is a loop in arrangement with 6 cores and no earth. Here is a photo:

these cables are being changed for new cabling as it is brittle and well past it's use by date, as well as lacking earth.

The wires you see are on a 6a MCB lacking RCD protection, that has been switched off and will remain off until a new installation is provided.

The new installation will likely run off a RCBO, or failing this a 6a MCB with indpendent RCD. This is understood to be within the regulations.

Would someone be kind enough to take the time to do a schematic of how these cables are likely to run illustrating each seperate core as clearly as possible, so that I can understand it better? If this is too much to ask, then fair enough and thanks for reading anyway.

p.s. it does not need repeating that I am not competent enough to do this work on my own, and I acknowledge this to be true.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Where is the supply cable (loop) going to be?

At the ceiling light or at the switch.

 

[HawkEye244]

Where is the supply cable (loop) going to be?

At the ceiling light or at the switch.

I don't know if honest.

Here is a photo of inside the switch if that helps?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ok. . I shall leave others to comment on that.


It looks like the loop is not there, so must be at the ceiling.
Also, that's only two switches.

As you are having it rewired I would suggest running the supply to the switch.

 

[Risteard]

WTF?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

As a result there is a lounge with a central light and 2 wall lights....

Strange thing to open with.

it does not need repeating that I am not competent enough to do this work on my own, and I acknowledge this to be true.

OK.

Would someone be kind enough to take the time to do a schematic of how these cables are likely to run illustrating each seperate core as clearly as possible, so that I can understand it better?

The person you get to do the work who is competent?

 

[John D v2.0]

Efli has it right, when I've rewired and replumbed for that matter, I've tended to ignore what's there, remove it, and install fresh that I know is correct then it's less effort to get something working. What's there as you say is old and someone's had a laugh with earth sleeving in the second switch!

You can't have 2 way switching in the traditional sense with a dimmer (does it behave strangely at the moment?) involved so either change to standard switches or have one switch. You can either do eflis wiring or Google for: 2 way lighting circuit looped at switch. Or if you prefer you can loop at ceiling.

 

[Taylortwocities]

There are a multitude of sins in that switch wiring alone:
Earth sleeving used on live conductors
Metal switch plate not earthed
and probably others

You have some work to do to regularise that circuit, and probably the rest of the house if it is to the standard of the lighting circuit!
A rewire might be your option.

 

[Risteard]

There are a multitude of sins

Sins isn't strong enough. I'd describe them as crimes.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

There are a multitude of sins in that switch wiring alone:
Earth sleeving used on live conductors
Metal switch plate not earthed
and probably others

You have some work to do to regularise that circuit, and probably the rest of the house if it is to the standard of the lighting circuit!
A rewire might be your option.

If you look at this thread https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/nightmare.481568/ you'll see other examples of earth sleeving used like that.

You'll see what's underneath it.

And you'll see his attitude to rewiring. This, from another thread, is interesting:

Only a few months ago I posted about a problem where I found metal conduit in the wall with old cable that was deteriorated. You, as well as one or two others tried to make me believe I needed a new ****ing rewire for all the lighting in the place, costing thousands. Sure enough with the help of my spark mate we re-chased a few cables, earthed the boxes, and I could close up and decorate.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'd describe them as crimes.

 

[mwatsonxx]

This time last month I couldn't spell electrician, now I are one.

 

[HawkEye244]

Ok. . I shall leave others to comment on that.


It looks like the loop is not there, so must be at the ceiling.
Also, that's only two switches.

As you are having it rewired I would suggest running the supply to the switch.


View attachment 127689

I'll let you know how it goes, thanks again EFL

 

[Risteard]

I'll let you know how it goes, thanks again EFL

You absolutely must get an Electrician to do this for you - you are completely incompetent to do this work.

 

[JohnW2]

You can't have 2 way switching in the traditional sense with a dimmer (does it behave strangely at the moment?) involved so either change to standard switches or have one switch.

Interesting comment - is that intended to be a general statement? If so, why do you think that many dimmers have COM, L1 and L2 (or however labelled) terminals?

Kind Regards, John