Apprentince requires information!

Hi, I am an apprentice just starting my 3rd year at college currently doing my level 3 city and guilds qualification and NVQ 3 simultaneously.

My boss has given me a one week project to help me learn about some house bashing basically! We went and saw an empty two bedroom apartment in London this afternoon in which I am to completely re-wire, and by Thursday next week he will be coming back in to check on my progress and then eventually test the circuits and sign it off for the client. I have a few questions!

He has told me to wire the lighting circuits by going from the DB (using 1.5mm twin and earth in a radial circuit) to each light switch on the ground floor (which compromises of a kitchen, lounge, dining room, bathroom and corridor), then from each switch another cable to the light fitting itself. So in the back of each switch the neutrals will be in a connector block together, the live's in L1 and the earths in the earth terminal. Does this sound correct? He assured me with the layout of the apartment that this is the easiest way to do it rather than three plating.

My next problem relating to this same lighting circuit is the corridor lighting. As you walk in the apartment, you have nothing but some stairs that take you up to the ground floor (stairs come in at basement level), so I was going to put a light at the front door with a one gang two way switch there, then at the top of the stairs another one gang two way switch so you can turn the lights on and off at the top and bottom of the stairs to the corridor and the bottom of the stairs! How is this done? In my head I assumed you take the cable I have looped from switch to switch previously via the kitchen, lounge, dining and bathroom, then to the corridor at the top of the stairs then down to the last switch at the bottom of the stairs. But then how do I wire two switches to just one light?

As you can see I am quite confused and would appreciate your time in helping me. I would ask my boss but he is currently on a plane to Majorca and i've broken up from college for Easter!!

Thanks

JJ

Firstly I'd crimp and shrink the neutrals as this will save a bit of space, I'd probably fit the switches on single socket boxes too to make doubly sure that there's enough space. Obviously this is dependent on the wall construction ie if they're stud work I'd use dry liners.
Have a think about your two ways, the solution is pretty easy but you're probably not seeing the wood for the trees. Clue, you're still going to have a permanant live and a switched live at the first 2w switch.

For the 2 way switch you need a 3 core & earth going between the switches, then at one of them you'd have the connections as if it were a 1 way switch (the second switch just has the end of the 3 core at it).
Obviously run the cables as your boss has told you to, then if you get stuck with the wiring it's best if he shows you when he gets back, rather than having a go and messing it up - wiring a switch takes no time at all.

As trev has said no problem with feeding the switch with the neutral as well but make sure there is enough room in the back box.

This is a diagram of the 3 wire 2 way lighting Adam described.

Thanks guys, I really think I get it now! Feel like I've been thrown in at the deep end here but it's a great way to learn and I'm sure I can get all the lighting and power circuits right by the time my boss returns!!

Sounds like you've got a good boss who's thinks you're up for the challenge. I suspect that you'll do a good job.

to put it simply, cable T/E to 1 switch and from there to the light, as you would for a single switch, then run a 3 core from the first switch to the 2nd switch. the switching arrangement will be sorted on 2nd fix.