Adding a New light circuit from a 2 way light circuit

[charltonjames]

Hi, i am in great need for some help and advice. I hope i can explain my problem correctly, so just stick with me.

Ok, i am trying to add a new light to a recently built ensuite in my loft (attic) bedroom.

My current lighting in my bedrrom works of a two-way circuit. There a switch at the bottom of the stairs ane a switcht at the top of the stairs. Both switches operate two lights in the attic. I believe the circuit is a basic two way circuit as shown in your diagram for operating one light from 2 sources. But the 2nd light iworks off a sper from the 1st light.

So back to the problem, i would like to install a new light in my room, that work off the current circuit but is controlled by a seperate switch. I.E. If my current two lights are on/off, i can still turn on/off the new light without turning on/off all the lights in my room.

I have had a play around and originally i ran the new light and switch of the 2nd light in my room. However, although i could turn the new light on/off whilest Light 1 and 2 were on, when i turned olight 1 and 2 off, the new light also went off.

I have also tried to run the new light off the 2nd switch at the top of my stairs and this too failed to give the desired results. I could either have lights 1 and 2 on, or just the new light on.

I know i have waffled on for a bit, but i hope i have provided enough information for you to help me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards

James

[Rich-Ando]

hi charltonjames to the forum

all you need to do is take a twin & earth cable from the existing light fitting,
connect to the loop-in Lives and the loop-in neutrals and the earth straight to your new light fitting. then from there take another T&E cable to the switch.

the cable that goes to the switch connects: Brown to C and Blue with brown sleeving on to L1.

back at the new fitting: -
browns together as permanent lives.
the cable that goes to your switch, connect the blue with brown sleeving on it to one side of the lamp on the new fitting and the other blue which comes in the cable from your existing light goes to the other side of the lamp.

[ultimatehandyman]

There are some diagrams and pages here that might make it easier to see what Rich has told you to do-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/e ... wiring.htm

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/e ... /index.htm

[charltonjames]

Hi, thank you very much for answering my question so quickly and giving me help in this area. However, i cant get it to work. As before, i can either have all three lights on, or all three lights off. Or i can have L1 and L2 on and flick L3 on and off, or when i switch L1 and L2 off, L3 also goes off.

Just to recap on what i am trying to do;

I have attached a jpeg to show what my current circuit is. Its very basic, but hopefully it will help. The working colours are; Blue - neutral, Brown - Live, Green - Earth and Yellow - Common.

Ok, so I have a two-way circuit controlling two lights, L1 and L2. S1 and S2 can switch both L1 and L2 on and off. Thats working fine. But now i wish to add a light to the circuit, L3. Now L3 is a little bit different. I wish for L3 to be controlled separately via S3. I.E. i would like to be able to switch L3 on and off via S3, regardless if L1 and L2 are on or off. I hope that makes sense.

Currently i have L3 connected to L2. At L2 All the lives are connected together (Loop In) and all the Neutrals are connected. At L3, all the lives are connects (Loop In) and the Neutrals from L2 and L3 are connected. The neutral from S3 is connected separately to the other section of L3.

So.... where am i going wrong? I would be very grateful for any help in this area.

Regards

James