Three Way Lighting

I am trying to install a three way lighting circuit in my house, i have run

3 core and earth between the first switch and the second and then again to the third. I have connected it up for a standard 2 way circuit but i am only able to turn the light off from the switch i turned the light on with.

Any ideas??

TIA

Neil

Reply to
N.C.S
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The way to do it is a live connection to the common of the first two-way switch. Then run two wires from the L1 and L2 of that switch to the intermediate switch. Connect those wires, one to each terminal at one end of the intermediate switch. It does not matter which end or which way around, so long as both are connected at the same end. Then, from the remaining two terminals of the intermediate switch, run two wires to the L1 and L2 of the second two-way switch. Now run a wire from the common of that two-way switch to the light.

Colin Bignell

Reply to
nightjar

You have used an intermediate switch between the two two way ones? Most switches include a wiring diagram these days, but in case not here it is.

L1 L1 0===========0 0===========0============= Line | \ / | C 0================================O C \ / \ / 0===========0 0===========0============= Switch return L2 Optional L2 Intermediate

Reply to
Dave Plowman

Three way light switching needs an intermediate switch in the middle to make work properly.

Have a web search for "Intermediate Switch" (with the quotes), and you should find what I'm talking about.

Once you've found a switch, have a look through here to see how fits into the circuit:

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Reply to
BigWallop

I have bought 3 standard 2 way switches, is this wrong??

Reply to
N.C.S

Yes. You need two standard 2 way switches, and a third one (with FOUR terminals) commonly known as an 'intermediate' switch. They are more expensive than the others, presumably because they are sold in such small quantities. But nothing else will do.

Then, the two wires that run between the two 'two way' switches are fed through the intermediate switch (two in, two out).

Reply to
Bob Eager

Yup. Perhaps the name, two way, gives a clue. ;-)

If you want more than two switches, you use an (or as many as you want) intermediate switches with a two way at either end.

You might find not all sheds stock them - and they're about twice the price of a two way.

Reply to
Dave Plowman

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