intermediate switch

Rockomuir · Sep 16, 2012

Hello there,

been to a job today where the customer has a fault with an intermediate switch. Instead of being an inter switch it looks like it has been wired incorrectly with the intermediate switch acting as a two way for the other two switches. Also at the intermediate switch the feed for the lights goes to this switch instead of the first switch of the intermediate.

What i wont to ask is that is it possible to take the lighting feed to the intermediate switch and still be able to get a working intermediate switch.

many thanks

tazz · Sep 16, 2012

No i cant see this working as the intermediate a technically the straps from the other 2 ways switches. So the the feed must be to one of the 2 way switches first

Rockomuir · Sep 16, 2012

thank you, the customer said it used to work but i cannot see how with out rewiring it

telectrix · Sep 16, 2012

has he had the fairies in?

Adam · Sep 16, 2012

tazz said:
No i cant see this working as the intermediate a technically the straps from the other 2 ways switches. So the the feed must be to one of the 2 way switches first

It does actually work, and I have done this at home due to an oversight with the wiring, and the intermediate switch was the only accessible switch.

Assuming the wiring is a typical three plate, with a twin cable from the light point to the intermediate switch, and three core cables going to the two way switches it will work.

Connect the feed to L1 and switched live to L2 (two connections side by side, top or bottom). Strappers to each 2 way as normal, and the common from each 2 way is joint using connector / crimp at intermediate switch.

BillyTheSparks · Sep 16, 2012

Yes you can take the live and switched live to the intermediate switch, connect them to the either the L1 side or L2 side. It is exactly the same as taking them to the L1 and L2 at the 2way switch

telectrix · Sep 16, 2012

so, basically , adam, that method is the same as if the L and S/L were connected in L1 and L2 of either 2 way switch. as the strappers connect L1's and L2's of all 3 switches.

edit: beaten by fast fingers billy. :74:

electric will · Sep 16, 2012

Adam said:
It does actually work, and I have done this at home due to an oversight with the wiring, and the intermediate switch was the only accessible switch.

Assuming the wiring is a typical three plate, with a twin cable from the light point to the intermediate switch, and three core cables going to the two way switches it will work.

Connect the feed to L1 and switched live to L2 (two connections side by side, top or bottom). Strappers to each 2 way as normal, and the common from each 2 way is joint using connector / crimp at intermediate switch.

I offen do this! But you can only do it on the first or last intermediate switch, say if you have 3 you can't do it off the middle one

Rockomuir · Sep 16, 2012

Thank you,
i will try this tommorow

Adam · Sep 16, 2012

Will Pickard said:
I offen do this! But you can only do it on the first or last intermediate switch, say if you have 3 you can't do it off the middle one

Why?

It doesn't matter where along the strappers the live and sw live are connected as they are going to be closed or open depending on switch positions.

tazz · Sep 16, 2012

From original post we are talking abaut the feed only

electric will · Sep 16, 2012

If one of the first intermediate switches is in the wrong position you don't have the perm live to l1 as the first switch put it on l2. Trust me I've been there. Draw a circuit you'll see what I mean.

Adam · Sep 16, 2012

tazz said:
From original post we are talking abaut the feed only

The OP may only mention the feed, but I am sure there will be a switched live there too. The client also mentioned that it worked previously so I would assume the switch has been replaced or tampered with.

Adam · Sep 16, 2012

Will Pickard said:
If one of the first intermediate switches is in the wrong position you don't have the perm live to l1 as the first switch put it on l2. Trust me I've been there. Draw a circuit you'll see what I mean.

I am going to have to now, lol.
It's not that I don't believe you, but I need to see why it wouldn't work.

I had to draw a circuit when I first had to use this method as I wasn't 100% certain it was going to work.

tazz · Sep 16, 2012

[ElectriciansForums.net] intermediate switch

Just done a quick drawing...if the feed is fed to any of the strappers on of the 2 way switches would be obsolete

intermediate switch

Rockomuir

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tazz

Rockomuir

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telectrix

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Adam

BillyTheSparks

telectrix

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electric will

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Rockomuir

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Adam

tazz

electric will

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Adam

Adam

tazz

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