Wiring 2 way switch help

[AndyPRK]

Thanks John.

We could do with some definitions of what 2 way and 2gang mean in the FAQ stickies.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks John. We could do with some definitions of what 2 way and 2gang mean in the FAQ stickies.

Yes, it's starting to look as if that might be necessary (at least in relation to this thread) - but, of course, it would only be useful to those who read it!

It's "3-way" switching which really starts the confusion flowing!

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

It's a shame as some of the pictures are missing in the lighting sticky

 

[JohnW2]

It's a shame as some of the pictures are missing in the lighting sticky

It would have been better if those who invented the electrician's terminology had thought of something different from "2-way" and "3-way" (maybe something more self-explanatory, like "2-location" and "3-location"?) switching. Those of us who were brought up on "X-way" switches (as in '2 pole 3-way) would then not be at risk of confusion when X>2!

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't think two-way or three-way - number of switches which control the same light(s) - is confusing or needs changing.
With what can it be confused?
(Except those Americans call three-way what we call two-way so anyone looking on t'interweb ...)

Gangs could be improved to just mean the actual number of switches on a plate and not the size of the back box.
Especially as, at present, we have 'double' sockets which fit on a 'two-gang' back box.
Why are the back boxes not single or double?


Too late now I suppose.

 

[JohnW2]

I don't think two-way or three-way - number of switches which control the same light(s) - is confusing or needs changing. With what can it be confused?

Nothing, once one knows! However, as I said, I was brought up with 3-way switches which had three positions. More generally, there would be virtually no learning curve for anyone (or need to ask questions) if 'they' had chosen self-explanatory terminology - like "2/3-location switching".

Gangs could be improved to just mean the actual number of switches on a plate and not the size of the back box.

I agree.

Especially as, at present, we have 'double' sockets which fit on a 'two-gang' back box. ... Why are the back boxes not single or double?

Sometimes they are (just Google, you'll get countless hits!)- which adds even more to the confusion.

Too late now I suppose.

Indeed - and that's always the case with the 'less-than-ideal' issues of terminology and jargon we often discuss. Once it becomes 'well-established', there's really no going back!

Kind Regards, John

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

No - I very rarely get involved, in the sense of saying things like "try putting conductor X into terminal Y" - and I certainly haven't in this thread.

I tend not to and always recommend that a two pole voltage indicator is used when working on electrics, but sometimes for the sake of being helpful when there is very little possibility of wrongful connection causing any danger to life or components on the system then I personal don't think it is a no no not to be helpful, although really could do with all the relevant information regarding functionality of switches.

However, since some people were trying to do that, what I have been trying to do (slowly, and not all that successfully) is to extract from the OP at least some of the information which people should have if they are going to try to give such suggestions/instructions.

I think we all have been trying to extract this information regarding the switching arrangement, with regards to the configuration of conductors as the OP has removed without IDing, this has posed a problem that really requires some test equipment for both voltage and continuity. Now the OP has chosen to opt for an on-site electrician I assume corrective measure will be completed competently

If I wanted to annoy BAS, I'm sure that I could find far better ways than that

Just mention plug tops or like for like, that normally does the trick

 

[JohnW2]

I tend not to and always recommend that a two pole voltage indicator is used when working on electrics, but sometimes for the sake of being helpful when there is very little possibility of wrongful connection causing any danger to life or components ....

Fair enough. I wasn't getting at you, or anyone else - merely responding directly to a comment about my general non-involvement in 'light switch questions'.

I think we all have been trying to extract this information regarding the switching arrangement ....

Indeed. When some of the important answers were not forthcoming, I jumped in to see if my questioning could do any better (which it really didn't!). I don't think we ever really found out what, if any, true 2-way switching there was and whether it was working satisfactorily when the OP got the hall light to work by trial and error.

If I wanted to annoy BAS, I'm sure that I could find far better ways than that

Just mention plug tops or like for like, that normally does the trick

I know some far better ways than those

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's a shame as some of the pictures are missing in the lighting sticky

It would have been better...

It would also be better if people stopped using the stickies, and realise that they were replaced by the Wiki several years ago.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If I wanted to annoy BAS, I'm sure that I could find far better ways than that

I'm sure that most people here can be annoyed by something or other.

Anybody at any time is free to prove how childish, sad, empty, pathetic and just plain stupid they are by posting something with the intent of annoying another person.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Especially as, at present, we have 'double' sockets which fit on a 'two-gang' back box. ... Why are the back boxes not single or double?

Sometimes they are (just Google, you'll get countless hits!)- which adds even more to the confusion.

Don't forget 'twin' and 'dual'....

 

[JohnW2]

Especially as, at present, we have 'double' sockets which fit on a 'two-gang' back box. ... Why are the back boxes not single or double?

Sometimes they are (just Google, you'll get countless hits!)- which adds even more to the confusion.

Don't forget 'twin' and 'dual'....

Yep, them as well. 'Dual' is, of course, usually used to mean something rather different from the other words - 'dual single' would perhaps be better.

Kind Regards, John

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

On the flip side, good to see you back on electric UK BAS.

 

[JohnW2]

Anybody at any time is free to prove how childish, sad, empty, pathetic and just plain stupid they are by posting something with the intent of annoying another person.

I'm sure that's true (well, I'm sure that's one way of putting it!). However, as I hope you understand, it's not a thing I do - even though I easily could!

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

The hall and landing could well be on different MCBs so any links between the switches is a no no.