3 Gang Switch Question???

[WayneL]

So,

What you actually want is a 3 gang, two way switch and two 1 gang, two way switches.(one for the other side of the kitchen, one for the other end of the hall).
You need some T&E and some 3-core & E.

Switch 1 of 3-Gang:

T&E
Connect Common to 'live' feed (Brown) and L1 to porch light (Blue, sleeved Brown).

Switch 2 of 3-Gang and Kitchen 1-Gang/two way.

T&E
Connect L1 to 'live' feed (Brown) and L2 to 'switched live' (Blue, sleeved Brown)....to light.

AND.....

Using the 3-Core & E, connect each of the following on Switch 2 to the kitchen 1-Gang/two way:

L1 to L1
L2 to L2
Common to Common

Sleeve conductors brown.

Switch 3 of 3-Gang and Hall 1-Gang/two way:

Follow exact same procedure as 'Switch 2 of 3-Gang' above, only this time for the hall light.

Job done.

I would do it this way - you could also use 'conventional' two way switching method.(where the live feed comes in to one switch and exits via the other switch).

And if you want to be clever, don't drop your T&E, 'live' and 'sw/live' from the light to the switch, just run your 3-core via the light.

 

[Paul.M]

Waynel that is better than any instructions in the book. I like it .

 

[telectrix]

just dropped back on this thread, after a good kip. after reading posts, nothing to add to wayne's post. do it exactly as wayne says ( his 1st way ). as for the 3 gang switch, all 3 gang are 2way, so thats it, and 2 2way 1 gang.

 

[RogertheBodger]

just dropped back on this thread, after a good kip. after reading posts, nothing to add to wayne's post. do it exactly as wayne says ( his 1st way ). as for the 3 gang switch, all 3 gang are 2way, so thats it, and 2 2way 1 gang.

A good Kip eh? sounds ominous, you going for the No.1 spot today mate?

 

[telectrix]

A good Kip eh? sounds ominous, you going for the No.1 spot today mate?

not sure what you mean by no.1 spot, mate. perhaps it's coz. i just woke up, still on my 1st smoke.

 

[RogertheBodger]

not sure what you mean by no.1 spot, mate. perhaps it's coz. i just woke up, still on my 1st smoke.

Most posts........

 

[WayneL]

not sure what you mean by no.1 spot, mate. perhaps it's coz. i just woke up, still on my 1st smoke.

I think he means 'Top Poster'



Beaten to it!

 

[Octopus]

I think he means 'Top Poster'



Beaten to it!

Top poster for quality answers - always!

 

[telectrix]

i know i'm not very far behind lenny. never thought of it as a competition. was just about to change my avatar.

 

[RogertheBodger]

i know i'm not very far behind lenny. never thought of it as a competition. was just about to change my avatar.

No not a competition, but still, it's no mean feat in less than 12 months, especially so with the style you've done it with - lets see your new Avatar then.

 

[telectrix]

No not a competition, but still, it's no mean feat in less than 12 months, especially so with the style you've done it with - lets see your new Avatar then.

just like that

 

[RogertheBodger]

just like that

Who could be better than Morecambe and Wise?
The MAN himself.

 

[Dunc]

Can i over complicate this please but reduce the number of cables slightly at each switch just for an alternative?!

3 gang 2 way switch

T+E 1 - Permanent live and neutral in (permanent live to common of first switch then linked to common of other two switches.
T+E 2 - To porch light (brown to L1 of 2nd switch)
3 core and earth 1 - To 2nd switch in kitchen (brown and black to L1 and L2 of 1st switch)
3 core and earth 2 - To 2nd switch in hallway (brown and black to L1 and L2 of 3rd switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

Kitchen switch, 1G 2way

3 core and earth 1 - From 3G switch (brown and black to L1 and L2 of switch).
T+E 1 - To kitchen lights (brown to common of switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

Hallway switch, 1G 2way

3 core and earth 2 - From 3G switch (brown and black to L1 and L2 of switch).
T+E 1 - To hallway lights (brown to common of switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

This is very similar to a conduit wiring method of wiring lighting except for the fact that you have neutrals at the switches. It's a bit more efficient on cable in my opinion and leaves you with less cables at the 3 gang switch which is a bonus. Probably a little over complicated but i like doing it this way and do it regularly too.

 

[telectrix]

nothing wrong with that, dunc, but think the loop at lights method is simpler for the op to follow.

 

[JUD]

A diagram would be good if someone can please....

feed L/N looped through each light fitting. take a switch wire from each light to the 3 gang switch. run 2 3 cores from 3 gang switch, 1 to each of the other 2 way switches. i could draw a diagrtam, but can't put it on computer. no doubt a member with better computer skilss can do that.

 

[normanton]

Theres some links on the E&T forum

 

[robskiing]

Nice one jud that tells the op everything he needs to know like someone said earlier just take one sw at a time my daughter could follow that diagram

 

[topquark]

Sorry to but in a bit late here. Is this 3 gang switch going to be one of the ones in the kitchen? If it's not then you do need an intermediate for the kitchen; one of the requirements was for this 3 gang to control the kitchen light that would be switchable also from either end of the kitchen.

I'd envisaged this 3 gang being in the hall given what it was controlling.

 

[telectrix]

just re-read op. well spotted topquark. intermediate sw. can go between the 2 2way sw's for the kitchen

 

[JUD]

Hi

I need to put a 3 gang switch so that it controls the following 3 items Independently:

1) Main hall lights (this will be controlled 2 way from either end of hall)
2) Front inside porch light (controlled from only one location)
3) Kitchen lights (this will be controlled 2 way from either end of room.

Can someone please give me some step by step instructions please to help guide me. I would be very grateful.

Also do some place like tlc do 3 gang switches for my scenario above.

Chris

Sorry to but in a bit late here. Is this 3 gang switch going to be one of the ones in the kitchen? If it's not then you do need an intermediate for the kitchen; one of the requirements was for this 3 gang to control the kitchen light that would be switchable also from either end of the kitchen.

I'd envisaged this 3 gang being in the hall given what it was controlling.

The OP doesn't actually say where the 3 gang switch will be installed, only that it will be controlling lights in the 3 different locations with 2 of them being 2 way.