intermediate switch

[Rockomuir]

Hello there,

been to a job today where the customer has a fault with an intermediate switch. Instead of being an inter switch it looks like it has been wired incorrectly with the intermediate switch acting as a two way for the other two switches. Also at the intermediate switch the feed for the lights goes to this switch instead of the first switch of the intermediate.

What i wont to ask is that is it possible to take the lighting feed to the intermediate switch and still be able to get a working intermediate switch.

many thanks

 

[tazz]

No i cant see this working as the intermediate a technically the straps from the other 2 ways switches. So the the feed must be to one of the 2 way switches first

 

[Rockomuir]

thank you, the customer said it used to work but i cannot see how with out rewiring it

 

[telectrix]

has he had the fairies in?

 

[Adam]

No i cant see this working as the intermediate a technically the straps from the other 2 ways switches. So the the feed must be to one of the 2 way switches first

It does actually work, and I have done this at home due to an oversight with the wiring, and the intermediate switch was the only accessible switch.

Assuming the wiring is a typical three plate, with a twin cable from the light point to the intermediate switch, and three core cables going to the two way switches it will work.

Connect the feed to L1 and switched live to L2 (two connections side by side, top or bottom). Strappers to each 2 way as normal, and the common from each 2 way is joint using connector / crimp at intermediate switch.

 

[BillyTheSparks]

Yes you can take the live and switched live to the intermediate switch, connect them to the either the L1 side or L2 side. It is exactly the same as taking them to the L1 and L2 at the 2way switch

 

[telectrix]

so, basically , adam, that method is the same as if the L and S/L were connected in L1 and L2 of either 2 way switch. as the strappers connect L1's and L2's of all 3 switches.

edit: beaten by fast fingers billy. :74:

 

[electric will]

It does actually work, and I have done this at home due to an oversight with the wiring, and the intermediate switch was the only accessible switch.

Assuming the wiring is a typical three plate, with a twin cable from the light point to the intermediate switch, and three core cables going to the two way switches it will work.

Connect the feed to L1 and switched live to L2 (two connections side by side, top or bottom). Strappers to each 2 way as normal, and the common from each 2 way is joint using connector / crimp at intermediate switch.

I offen do this! But you can only do it on the first or last intermediate switch, say if you have 3 you can't do it off the middle one

 

[Rockomuir]

Thank you,
i will try this tommorow

 

[Adam]

I offen do this! But you can only do it on the first or last intermediate switch, say if you have 3 you can't do it off the middle one

Why?

It doesn't matter where along the strappers the live and sw live are connected as they are going to be closed or open depending on switch positions.

 

[tazz]

From original post we are talking abaut the feed only

 

[electric will]

If one of the first intermediate switches is in the wrong position you don't have the perm live to l1 as the first switch put it on l2. Trust me I've been there. Draw a circuit you'll see what I mean.

 

[Adam]

From original post we are talking abaut the feed only

The OP may only mention the feed, but I am sure there will be a switched live there too. The client also mentioned that it worked previously so I would assume the switch has been replaced or tampered with.

 

[Adam]

If one of the first intermediate switches is in the wrong position you don't have the perm live to l1 as the first switch put it on l2. Trust me I've been there. Draw a circuit you'll see what I mean.

I am going to have to now, lol.
It's not that I don't believe you, but I need to see why it wouldn't work.

I had to draw a circuit when I first had to use this method as I wasn't 100% certain it was going to work.

 

[tazz]

Just done a quick drawing...if the feed is fed to any of the strappers on of the 2 way switches would be obsolete

 

[electric will]

Sorry I ment 3 intermediates with 2 ways at each end

 

[electric will]

Also i join up the commons, and use L1 for in L2 for out if you know what I mean

 

[electric will]

Sorry I ment 3 intermediates with 2 ways at each end

5 switches in total

 

[Knobhead]

The live and switched live can be taken to any of the swithes as shown:

View attachment 14608
End

View attachment 14609
Intermediate

You can put as many intermediate switches in as you like and take the switch wire to any.

 

[electric will]

Put two more intermediates in, and try it off the center one

 

[electric will]

I got caught out once on some apartments, I'm starting to wonder if I was coming in one switch and out another.

 

[Knobhead]

It will work with any number of intermediates.

PS I edited my post

 

[tazz]

Tony your drawings show that if both 2 way switches are switched active the the intermeadiated switch becomes obsolite, ie it does not switch either on or off

 

[electric will]

I'll think about it more tomorrow, when I had the problem all seemed ok till one switch was in a certain position, I remember a switch was taking my live away from L1 where I needed it.

 

[electric will]

The drawing is correct,meh intermediate reverses the poles, if it's easy to draw one with two more switches please do

 

[Knobhead]

I'll leave you to sort out the switch combinations

ON
View attachment 14610
View attachment 14611
It will work.

 

[electric will]

ItS saying invalid attachment, it's bugging me now

 

[Knobhead]

Tony your drawings show that if both 2 way switches are switched active the the intermeadiated switch becomes obsolite, ie it does not switch either on or off

Have a close look and then try to tell me it won't work.

 

[Knobhead]

ItS saying invalid attachment, it's bugging me now

Press F5 to refresh your screen.

 

[electric will]

The picture with five switches does seem to work, I did have my switch wires coming to the center one. When I did it my circuit worked till one switch was in the wrong position, I'm sure it wasn't just a case of say common being in L1