Wiring 3 way switch

Johnhr · Aug 4, 2024

Hi, looking for advice on wiring on a 3 switch light One turns light on outside front door, second one for light in bottom hall and third is for light in hall at top of the stairway.
Before decorating the switch was slackened off for painting around. Unfortunately a brown live wire and a yellow wire with red sleeve have come out of the terminals as switch came out of casing.
I believe the white wire is for the outside litght.

The top terminals read Common - way 1 - way 2 - Common
Bottom terminal reads Way 1 - way 2 - Common - way 1 - way

If anyone can suggest which terminal they have come out off I would be very Grateful

[ElectriciansForums.net] Wiring 3 way switch

freddo · Aug 4, 2024

That wiring does not look good at all and there seems to be some additional problems beside the loose wiring. The photos are very small so I can't see all the details. I would recommend calling in an electrician to check things over.

westward10 · Aug 4, 2024

The green/yellow from the flex is being used as a live so that isn't great. Hard to say where they went but just use trial and error you won't do much harm but I agree that all needs looking at by a professional.

timhoward · Aug 4, 2024

The 'white wire' looks as though someone has used a yellow/green earth wire to send a switched live to the outside light which is both naughty and dangerous.
I agree it should be looked at by someone competent.

If photo 3 is showing the right hand switch for upstairs landing light then it is missing a wire, and the other wire colours used suggest the yellow with red sleeve belongs bottom right