Two way switch problem - Noob needs help!

kenpeacock · Post by **kenpeacock** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:38 pm

Hi,

Several years I dabbled with some Home Automation stuff which meant I'd connected all the cables up so the lights were always 'on' (I had plug-in X10 bayonet modules which needed always to be on) As I say I connected them up with connector blocks and then replaced the switches with blanking plates). Anyway, my Home Automation days are now over and I'm having problems 'returning to normal'.

I have a double light switch near my front door which controls an outside light and two hall way lights (ie. both hall lights act as one).

I have a single switch further down my hall which also controls the two hall lights.

I made a note of what went where several years ago - however, reconnecting it back up, it doesn't work! The outside light switch works fine, but the two way switch isn't working right, depending on how they are switched, either of the switches will not control the lights - ie. one of the switches effectively goes dead. The 'dead' switch alternates, depending on how you switch the two switches around.

I've attached a picture of the wiring of the two switches. Double switch that does outside light and two hall lights is on the left, single switch that does the two hall lights on the right.

Here's the connections written out:

Double switch by the door:

Outside light

Com = Red (unsleeved)
L1 = Red (sleeved)

Hall lights

L1 = Blue
L2 = Yellow (2)
Com = Red (unsleeved)

Single switch

L1 = Blue
L2 = Yello
Com = Red

The thing that strikes me as weird (remember I'm a noob!) is coming out of Com for the outside light switch - the red wire has been stripped a few cm's and then also goes into Com of the two hall lights switch (you can see this above).

This is how I wrote it all down (6 years ago!) obviously I've got it wrong.

I'd be eternally grateful if any of you experts can help me! It's obviously a very simple change, but I don't feel confident enough to start moving wires around!

Thanks

Ken

ban-all-sheds · Post by **ban-all-sheds** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:05 pm

Curious that there are two yellows.... I note that one of them is sleeved.

The way that 2-way switching is wired when using a 3C+E between the switches is 3-core to link the COM, L1 & L2 terminals switch:switch, and then the circuit cable (i.e. live and switched live) goes into L1 & L2, not COM and one of the others.

And talking of 3C+E - where are the earths?

markysparky · Post by **markysparky** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:27 pm

Hello Ken,

Don't know if you made anything from the pictures BAS has shown. but it looks to me that you have the common for the hall lights in the wrong terminal.

Where you have it linked in the common of the hall light switch. Take it out of there and put it in L1 with the blue strapper and see what happens.

ONe question though! the second yellow with the tape on where does it come from or go to?

kenpeacock · Post by **kenpeacock** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:03 pm

Hi Marky,

I did what you said - moved the common to L1 - and it works perfectly!

Thanks, saved me a right problem that has.

Ta

Ken

markysparky · Post by **markysparky** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:08 pm

Thanks for the thanks Ken

Anytime