Using 3x 2way instead of intermediate switch

underdog · Feb 18, 2014

I could do with keeping the range of switches the same.. Screwless flat plate toggle switch but can't find a 2gang intermediate toggle.
An ebay seller (291055653971) has a diagram configured with 2way only but I cant see how!

Alternatively if anyone knows a range that has a 2g intermediate in chrome toggle I'll owe you a pint

R G · Feb 18, 2014

Hamilton will make anything you want ,,

If you just want the switches to fit a plate , I think they will supply them,,

R G · Feb 18, 2014

Wandsworth are another make that will supply any parts you want , Pricey though ,

mart79 · Feb 18, 2014

Heritage brass will make stuff to order...

underdog · Feb 18, 2014

Thanks for that it's not worth going down the custom route it was just a chance! Regular rockers it will have to be!

Richard Burns · Feb 19, 2014

Could you not take two single gang intermediate toggle switches and remove the switches and put them into a 2 gang plate if there is enough room.

It would be electrically possible to use two 2 way switches with L1/L2 L2/L1 linked across to form an intermediate switch but I would not recommend it as the problems if they were not operated together would be a nightmare.

Badged01 · Feb 19, 2014

Creative thinking, I like!

underdog · Feb 19, 2014

I'm on about the decorative range of toggle switches.

Ive drew it out and I'm pretty sure it's impossible to have 3 independently controllable 2way switches for one light!

itselectric · Feb 19, 2014

If you are wanting to control a light from 3 switches then one of the switches will have to be intermediate you can't use 3x2way switches.
I would go with Richard Burns suggestion post 6.

Geordie Spark · Feb 19, 2014

underdog said:
Thanks for that it's not worth going down the custom route it was just a chance! Regular rockers it will have to be!

Oh Yeah!! ............ NOW you're talking my language!! Leather jacket, Ice blue drainpipes, Winkle picker boots and James Dean T shirt and my old faithful Telecaster guitar just for good measure! ROCK ON!!!!

Richard Burns · Feb 19, 2014

underdog said:
I'm on about the decorative range of toggle switches.

Ive drew it out and I'm pretty sure it's impossible to have 3 independently controllable 2way switches for one light!

If you were to get click flat plate intermediates switches you can undo the collar holding the toggle in place and remove the switch to put in another unit, however the 2 gang plates are very close together so there may not be enough room to fit two intermediates side by side.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Using 3x 2way instead of intermediate switch

If you had a standard two way 3 wire arrangement and in place of the intermediate switch you had a two gang two way switch and switched both switches on that at the same time then it could be wired as an intermediate, but very much not recommended.

EDIT: Oh dear just noticed I got the cables mixed up in the "intermediate" switch parts of the upper diagram the grey should be black and the black grey, sorry, it was only done "as an exercise for the student"!

UNG · Feb 19, 2014

underdog said:
I could do with keeping the range of switches the same.. Screwless flat plate toggle switch but can't find a 2gang intermediate toggle.
An ebay seller (291055653971) has a diagram configured with 2way only but I cant see how!

Alternatively if anyone knows a range that has a 2g intermediate in chrome toggle I'll owe you a pint

Taken from the Ebay link you posted

How does this seller make this work ?

UNG · Feb 19, 2014

I've used the Scolmore mini grid stuff when I have needed a bit of flexibility for mixing switch types and indicators

itselectric · Feb 19, 2014

Ung you ask how seller makes the switch work. He will do it as Richard Burns has described but as he is not using toggle switches, all he needs to do is glue a piece of plastic across the two switches of the two gang and it will work like a single switch, If he doesn't then he'll have a whale of a time trying to configure them if someone switches one of the middle switches, then one of the outside two ways.

UNG · Feb 19, 2014

itselectric said:
Ung you ask how seller makes the switch work. He will do it as Richard Burns has described but as he is not using toggle switches, all he needs to do is glue a piece of plastic across the two switches of the two gang and it will work like a single switch, If he doesn't then he'll have a whale of a time trying to configure them if someone switches one of the middle switches, then one of the outside two ways.

Really I didn't ask how the switch works but the switching arrangement the layout shows the connections that the ebay seller has on his page and they are nothing like Richard Burns posted for a workable solution so when you get your head out of the darkside you will no doubt tell me that the ebay sellers arrangement doesn't work for a number of reasons not least it isn't or bear any similarity to what is shown in post #11