i got a problem and need help - i live in a 1970s house that uses the old red/black wiring. i have a two way lighting system between the hall and landing. i have added a new ceiling light but now having trouble with the two way lighting. what happens now is i can switch on/off the landing light from d/stairs works fine but if i leave the switch on and then go upstairs to switch the light off it stays on. if i switched the light d/stairs off from the d/stairs switch and then go upstairs i can switch the landing light on and off.
can anyone help - is there a website out there that explains 2 way lighting circuitry or can anyone post a solution to my problem
2007-05-17 05:48:11 · 13 answers · asked by hillman_avenger2006 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Here is a web site with a wiring diagram http://www.forteelectric.com/3WayBook.html
It sounds like you have interchanged two of the wires. Just look at the diagram and the explanation to see what is wrong.
2007-05-17 05:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are various ways of doing a two way switch circuit, popular way is the conversion circuit, top landing switch will have a 2 core (+earth) and a 3 core (+earth) the 3 core will also appear at the bottom switch, at the bottom switch connect red to the common, yellow to L1 and Blue to L2, (Yellow and blue can be anyway round either L1 or L2).
At the top switch do exactly the same with the 3 core, you will be left with the 2 core cable, connect red to any L1 or L2 and Black to the other L1 or L2,
You should end up with 2 wires in L1, 2 wires in L2 and a single Red (from the 3 core) in the common.
By the way it is a requirement under Part P of the building regs to inform the local authority of any electrical modifications undertaken since 1 March 2005, you should use a part P registered electrician.
2007-05-17 06:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
With all the differing solutions you will be totally confused by now!! Did you disturb any wiring at either of the light switches, if yes please state the colours and number of wires at each switch. If no- then the switch wiring is all from where you fitted the light, you must have altered something at the light outlet. This circuit could be wired in a multitude of ways and the cores are probably not identified correctly. I could fix it in 5 minutes! but it's not so easy to give advice here due to the lack of information.
2007-05-17 07:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lighting should be controlled by two 3-way switches.
1- Each have 3 screws (2 on 1 side and 1 on the other.
2- One of those switches is connected to the power.
3- The other is connected to the lights.
The single (separate) screw is connected to (lights) or (power).
4- The remaining 2 screws on each switch (called travelers) go only between the 2 switches and no where else.
5- Sometimes the odd or separate single screw is a different color to help you identify it.
I live in Spain now and am a retired Electrician from New Jersey (USA) and it works the same here once you get the simplicity of it. (Took me at least 4 years to see how easy it really is) . [Then of course there are the 4-way switches]
Good Luck ! ! !
2007-05-17 09:02:48 · answer #4 · answered by norman8012003 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not sure about the markings on your switches, but the system of wiring is that T1 and T2 on each of the switches are connected to the same terminals on the other switch.
Then on one of the switches the COM terminal is connected to the Live mains wire, and the COM terminal on the other switch is connected to the lamp.
I guess that you have to be sure that you have fitted the new lampholder to the existing lampholder, and not used a second live feed from the consumer unit.
Remember there is only a single live connection, and that is made to one of the switches, not both, and never directly to the lampholders!
2007-05-17 06:06:27 · answer #5 · answered by Rolf 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no matter how old the wiring is its never had a two way switch with just 2 wires, get a sparks in too many cowboys in the housing maintainance game causing probs for new owners later.
2007-05-20 13:35:12 · answer #6 · answered by me again 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is have a look at this link to see how it should be done. A diagram is worth a 1000 words.
I should say adding an extra light should't have altered your switching arrangement.
http://wiki.diynot.com/electrics:lighting:two_way_lighting
HTH
2007-05-17 07:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by nigel t 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 way switching contains 3 no live cables and is nothing like standard switching as mentioned in other answers.the scenario you have explained is guaranteed to be a loss of a strapper/passwire due to current switching arrangement.if it is not a loose connection it is a break in continuity.get a spark you can trust as this is ideal rip off territory.
2007-05-17 06:55:44 · answer #8 · answered by scottymuck 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The mis-placed connection is at the switch that works all the time. At that switch.
With power off:
swap common & L1. Turn on power & see if it works.
If it Doesn't, turn off power:
Swap L1 and common back, then swap L2 and common.
Try again.
Good luck .
Pauline
2007-05-18 04:33:24 · answer #9 · answered by Pauline 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
wiring of 2-way swiches circuitry
c1=common of 1st switch
p1=first pole of 1st switch
p2=second pole of 1st switch
c2= common of 2nd switch
p3=first pole of 2nd switch
p4=second pole of 2nd switch
the connections as follow
line 1 (blk) to c1
p1 to p3
p2 to p4
c2 to light contact 1 (center contact)
light contact 2 (shell contact) to line 2 (wht)
sorry can't draw.
2007-05-17 06:26:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋