Two way switch only working upstairs light

[NeilMol]

Hi, my Dad has a two way switch which has a light in the hallway and a light on the landing, the other night I heard a dull bell sound and all the lights went off. The rcd tripped and now the light in the hallway is not working, upstairs switch and downstairs switch won't turn on the hallway light. The light on the landing works with both switches the upstairs and downstair switches. I know it's a big ask and I don't have anymore information as it's in my Dad's house and I can't get down to see him till next week, does anyone have any thoughts, any ideas what it could be? Thanks

 

[westward10]

The fact it tripped the RCD and no longer works indicates there was a fault which is no longer enough to trip the RCD but has stopped the light from working.

 

[Jock from the north]

Hi, my Dad has a two way switch which has a light in the hallway and a light on the landing, the other night I heard a dull bell sound and all the lights went off. The rcd tripped and now the light in the hallway is not working, upstairs switch and downstairs switch won't turn on the hallway light. The light on the landing works with both switches the upstairs and downstair switches. I know it's a big ask and I don't have anymore information as it's in my Dad's house and I can't get down to see him till next week, does anyone have any thoughts, any ideas what it could be? Thanks

I'm sure you've checked ,could it be the bulbs.do the lights switch on atol.could be a switch wire or a wire part of one of the lights that's touched earth and blown itself clear allowing rcd to reset .

 

[James]

I would start by putting a new light bulb in.

 

[NeilMol]

Thanks for the replies, he's tried the light bulbs and said they were fine, he's had the light switches off the wall to have a look but can't see much as the switches are very tight to the wall with the amount of wires behind them, he says there's not much give in the switch because of how tight the wires are.
Would one switch stop the other switch working, if the downstairs switch was broken would the upstairs still work and vice versa? Also could the switch possibly be broken inside due to age, he moved there in 1989 and the switches haven't been changed but some rewiring was done 20 years ago.
It just seems very strange the way it just blew by itself, made a buzzing noise and now won't work, the rcd reset ok and no problems with anything else.
Thanks everyone

 

[westward10]

The switches will only have one live feed and then they are linked by strapper wires to alternate this feed between them to the light, if this feed is no longer there neither will work.

 

[NeilMol]

The switches will only have one live feed and then they are linked by strapper wires to alternate this feed between them to the light, if this feed is no longer there neither will work.

Thanks for the reply, do you think it's probably more likely the bottom switch as this is right opposite the fuse box? Thanks very much

 

[westward10]

Impossible to say really but you can look in both switches and the light to see if there's anything obvious.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Thanks for the reply, do you think it's probably more likely the bottom switch as this is right opposite the fuse box? Thanks very much

As above.
Just a thought though - If they are pendant lights, with a ceiling rose, and flex down to a bulb holder, it could be a problem in that area. In the days when we all used filament bulbs that got hot, occasionally a fault might develop at the bulbholder, encouraged by the heat. But with cooler LED bulbs these days it's not such a problem.
If nothing obvious, test equipment and someone who knows how to use it, will probably be needed to resolve the problem safely.

 

[NeilMol]

As above.
Just a thought though - If they are pendant lights, with a ceiling rose, and flex down to a bulb holder, it could be a problem in that area. In the days when we all used filament bulbs that got hot, occasionally a fault might develop at the bulbholder, encouraged by the heat. But with cooler LED bulbs these days it's not such a problem.
If nothing obvious, test equipment and someone who knows how to use it, will probably be needed to resolve the problem safely.

It always had filament bulbs in the pendant lights, that's what made me think it might be the switches that got hot, but it could have been the rose that's cracked due to excessive heat, my dad does leave it on a lot because he's in his 80's and can't see much. Something else to look into when I visit, I do have all the test equipment just wanted to pick someone's brains before I start or if it's going to be a major job get someone in who has the time and expertise.
Thank you

 

[Avo Mk8]

It always had filament bulbs in the pendant lights, that's what made me think it might be the switches that got hot, but it could have been the rose that's cracked due to excessive heat, my dad does leave it on a lot because he's in his 80's and can't see much. Something else to look into when I visit, I do have all the test equipment just wanted to pick someone's brains before I start or if it's going to be a major job get someone in who has the time and expertise.
Thank you

That's interesting. I'd be inclined to check for switched power at the ceiling rose first. I hope it doesn't require a 15ft ladder!

 

[NeilMol]

That's interesting. I'd be inclined to check for switched power at the ceiling rose first. I hope it doesn't require a 15ft ladder!

I'll check it next week, luckily enough it's not that high and easy to reach. Thanks very much for your input

 

[brianmoooore]

Be aware that the 2G switch might have supplies from two sources, so don't assume it's safe if just one MCB is off.
May even be a 'borrowed neutral'.

 

[NeilMol]

Thanks for the replies, he's tried the light bulbs and said they were fine, he's had the light switches off the wall to have a look but can't see much as the switches are very tight to the wall with the amount of wires behind them, he says there's not much give in the switch because of how tight the wires are.
Would one switch stop the other switch working, if the downstairs switch was broken would the upstairs still work and vice versa? Also could the switch possibly be broken inside due to age, he moved there in 1989 and the switches haven't been changed but some rewiring was done 20 years ago.
It just seems very strange the way it just blew by itself, made a buzzing noise and now won't work, the rcd reset ok and no problems with anything else.
Thanks everyone

Just a quick update, it was the bulb holder that had cracked, you couldn't see it till it was removed and once removed it just cracked and broke into pieces, must have got really hot over the years. Thanks for your help and suggestions, much appreciated.
Thank you
Neil

 

[littlespark]

Thanks for the update.

All working now?

It may be a good time to change all the lamps to LED… They don’t get as hot, and the running costs will be reduced.

 

[NeilMol]

Thanks for the update.

All working now?

It may be a good time to change all the lamps to LED… They don’t get as hot, and the running costs will be reduced.

I've ordered some, they are coming today, I'm changing them all.Thank you