3C&E at ceiling rose.

new_spark · Jun 7, 2013

Hi All

I've been to do it second fix at the house where the 1st fix has already been done, all cable runs are visible so I've no problem completing it.
1st fix was done about 2 years ago, it's an unlived in project, the electrician at the time has wired 2 way switches for the hall and landing the owner wants to be able to switch hall an landing lights from hall or landing.
I expected to see usual set up of switch wire and 3C&E connecting 2 switches, however at both switches are 2x3C&E with no switch drop at either and all 4 of the 3C&E terminate at ceiling roses also there is a T&E connecting hall to landing rose.
Is this a method I've not seen before because for the life of me I can't figure out how to wire it an I've never seen two lots of 3C&E at the rose!
Any thoughts welcome!

Thanks

Adam W · Jun 7, 2013

Not how I would have done it either.

If you put all the browns together (2 strappers and feed), the 2 greys with the switched live on the outside going to the light, and somehow connect the 2 blacks together on their own (Wago or connector block), that should work.

*Neutrals and CPC omitted for clarity.

Edit: I should add:
L1 - brown
L2 - Grey
C - Black

That's just how I wire switches. Use sleeving, obviously.

telectrix · Jun 7, 2013

i assume that he's intended to connect the L and S/L (normally the switch drop) to the strappers in the rose.

Outspoken · Jun 7, 2013

new_spark said:
Hi All

I've been to do it second fix at the house where the 1st fix has already been done, all cable runs are visible so I've no problem completing it.
1st fix was done about 2 years ago, it's an unlived in project, the electrician at the time has wired 2 way switches for the hall and landing the owner wants to be able to switch hall an landing lights from hall or landing.
I expected to see usual set up of switch wire and 3C&E connecting 2 switches, however at both switches are 2x3C&E with no switch drop at either and all 4 of the 3C&E terminate at ceiling roses also there is a T&E connecting hall to landing rose.
Is this a method I've not seen before because for the life of me I can't figure out how to wire it an I've never seen two lots of 3C&E at the rose!
Any thoughts welcome!

Thanks

And that children is a way to make a simple task very complicated indeed!!

Adam W · Jun 7, 2013

It's not impossible, and doing it isn't rocket science, it's just a weird way of doing it.
It may have been that for some reason the original spark wanted as few wires at the switch as possible and could accommodate them at the rose/light.

D Skelton · Jun 7, 2013

Here you go, this might help you:

[ElectriciansForums.net] 3C&E at ceiling rose.

I often wire this way if a central light/s needs switching from opposite sides of a room.

Clive P · Jun 7, 2013

Hi,

I do it the same way for long runs of fluorescents switched either end, all of the cables can be made off in the central florrie,

Regards.

new_spark · Jun 8, 2013

Sorry for delay been stuck out in the sticks with no Internet, thanks for diagram I was having a right brain fart and couldn't figure it out!

Outspoken · Jun 8, 2013

D Skelton said:
Here you go, this might help you:

View attachment 19276

I often wire this way if a central light/s needs switching from opposite sides of a room.

Not conventional, and as long as the JB is accessible perfectly acceptable and elegant solution...I do wonder if the original spark may have been considering PIR's though, as I have wired this way in the past (commercial installs mind) when we have been using two way PIR's mounted in the ceiling with a key switch at the normal switch position as it solves many of the problems you have otherwise...

shanky887614 · Jun 8, 2013

might simply be they didnt have any 2c so used 3 instead. a couple guys here would do that.

just connector strip spare cores and it means it can easily be altered in future