Which type switch do I need?

[paulfoel]

Got two light switches on my landing.
One double - one switch controls bathroom, one is for landing light.

Along the landing is a single switch - also controls landing light.

Heres pic of single switch (worrying loose wire!).

What type of switch do I need? Is it a 2 gang 2 way and a 1 gang 2 way?

 

[AndyPRK]

It's an intermediate, (as it says on the rear). These have 4 wire connections.

You need to reconnect that 4th wire, that will be why it isn't fully working.

So to replace you switches I think you need

2 gang 2 way and a 1 gang INTERMEDIATE

 

[Jon c]

Its an intermediate switch you need, most of them have a standard size rocker for whatever reason yours is extra wide, and that loose wire thats hanging out will need connected into the new switch, you can in your pic it looks like its fallen out of one of those top terminals

 

[paulfoel]

Heres the double switch

 

[paulfoel]

Thanks all - Found them now.. 1 intermediate 1 gang, and a standard 2 way 2 gang

 

[endecotp]

You might find it challenging to get the wires in the right holes in the new intermediate switch, as the old one looks unusual.

You have four wires from two cables. In most intermediate switches, the wires from one cable go in the pair of holes at the top of the switch and the wires from the other cable go in the holes at the bottom. (There are exceptions, though I’ve never seen one like your old one before.)

Don’t guess, as there are combinations that will cause a short-circuit. There may be a diagram with the new switch. If not, post photos of the new switch.

 

[SUNRAY]

Use the lines as indications to compare with top and bottom terminals on the layout we are used to: IE pink at top and green as bottom

or as a comparison:

Shown in pink to distinguish between the 2 cables

 

[Jon c]

You might find it challenging to get the wires in the right holes in the new intermediate switch, as the old one looks unusual.

You have four wires from two cables. In most intermediate switches, the wires from one cable go in the pair of holes at the top of the switch and the wires from the other cable go in the holes at the bottom. (There are exceptions, though I’ve never seen one like your old one before.)

Don’t guess, as there are combinations that will cause a short-circuit. There may be a diagram with the new switch. If not, post photos of the new switch.

Luckily you'd not be able to create a short circuit with that intermediate light switch wiring as it's all lines/switch lines (aside from the cpc obviously) you'd just get switches and lights not working as they should, mind you I'm not advocating for a trial and error approach!

 

[endecotp]

Luckily you'd not be able to create a short circuit with that intermediate light switch wiring as it's all lines/switch lines (aside from the cpc obviously) you'd just get switches and lights not working as they should, mind you I'm not advocating for a trial and error approach!

Errrr…. yes you’re right, I managed to imagine a scenario where it would short, but it was a flight of fancy.

 

[morqthana]

It's an intermediate, (as it says on the rear). These have 4 wire connections.

You need to reconnect that 4th wire, that will be why it isn't fully working.

He hasn't mentioned a 3rd (or more switch).

He hasn't said it's not working properly.

That 4th wire might be redundant.

So to replace you switches I think you need

2 gang 2 way and a 1 gang INTERMEDIATE

Or maybe only 2-ways. With no other switches, and everything working, that intermediate is being used as a 2-way.

Its an intermediate switch you need, most of them have a standard size rocker for whatever reason yours is extra wide, and that loose wire thats hanging out will need connected into the new switch, you can in your pic it looks like its fallen out of one of those top terminals

Or he just needs a 2-way, and that loose wire is unused.

 

[morqthana]

Luckily you'd not be able to create a short circuit with that intermediate light switch wiring as it's all lines/switch lines (aside from the cpc obviously) you'd just get switches and lights not working as they should, mind you I'm not advocating for a trial and error approach!

Talking of cpcs - where are they?

And how come these cables are brown and blue, and at the other switch they are twin red?

More investigation called for...

 

[endecotp]

That 4th wire might be redundant.

It looks to me like it pinged out when he opened it.

Talking of cpcs - where are they?

Good point; they seem to be present at the intermediate switch but possibly cut off at the other switch. @paulfoel , please investigate the earth wires. Do you know if you have earths present at the light fittings?

 

[FrodoOne]

Got two light switches on my landing.
One double - one switch controls bathroom, one is for landing light.

Along the landing is a single switch - also controls landing light.

Heres pic of single switch (worrying loose wire!).

What type of switch do I need? Is it a 2 gang 2 way and a 1 gang 2 way?

You really need to understand that which is "going on" with your "Multi Location Switching"
(usually called "Multi Way Switching".)

Please see "More than two locations"
in

Multiway switching - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ebee]

(usually called "Multi Way Switching".)

We usually calls them three way (or more if appropriate) switching but hey ho if you calls it something that makes sense to you and everybody else then all well and good.
There was probably an assumption it was two floors or more rather than just the one and each end would need a two way switch (although an intermediate switch could be used as a two way switch) and any further switches (if they exist) would need to be intermediate switches,

So for 100 way switching you would need 2 x two way switches and 98 intermediate switches
(not many houses have that many though!)

 

[morqthana]

It looks to me like it pinged out when he opened it.

Possibly. Nobody has thought to ask the OP if everything still works OK.

paulfoel - with that 4th wire flapping in the breeze, do all the switches still do what they did before, and what they should? Take care not to touch that bare end when using the switch.

And there's definitely not another switch somewhere? Landing lights are very commonly switched from downstairs as well as at the landing.

Good point; they seem to be present at the intermediate switch but possibly cut off at the other switch. @paulfoel , please investigate the earth wires.

And how/where the circuit cables change colour.

There's no conductor passing through the location with the intermediate, or the 2-way, and no sign of 3-core & earth anywhere.

It looks like 2-way wired like the top diagram, not the bottom, with one switch being a intermediate used as a 2-way, with a half-used twin red to COM.