3 Gang Switch Question???

[telectrix]

No not a competition, but still, it's no mean feat in less than 12 months, especially so with the style you've done it with - lets see your new Avatar then.

just like that

 

[RogertheBodger]

just like that

Who could be better than Morecambe and Wise?
The MAN himself.

 

[Dunc]

Can i over complicate this please but reduce the number of cables slightly at each switch just for an alternative?!

3 gang 2 way switch

T+E 1 - Permanent live and neutral in (permanent live to common of first switch then linked to common of other two switches.
T+E 2 - To porch light (brown to L1 of 2nd switch)
3 core and earth 1 - To 2nd switch in kitchen (brown and black to L1 and L2 of 1st switch)
3 core and earth 2 - To 2nd switch in hallway (brown and black to L1 and L2 of 3rd switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

Kitchen switch, 1G 2way

3 core and earth 1 - From 3G switch (brown and black to L1 and L2 of switch).
T+E 1 - To kitchen lights (brown to common of switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

Hallway switch, 1G 2way

3 core and earth 2 - From 3G switch (brown and black to L1 and L2 of switch).
T+E 1 - To hallway lights (brown to common of switch)

All blue and grey (sleeved blue) wires in connector block (neutrals). All black wires sleeved brown to show they are live connections.

This is very similar to a conduit wiring method of wiring lighting except for the fact that you have neutrals at the switches. It's a bit more efficient on cable in my opinion and leaves you with less cables at the 3 gang switch which is a bonus. Probably a little over complicated but i like doing it this way and do it regularly too.

 

[telectrix]

nothing wrong with that, dunc, but think the loop at lights method is simpler for the op to follow.

 

[JUD]

A diagram would be good if someone can please....

feed L/N looped through each light fitting. take a switch wire from each light to the 3 gang switch. run 2 3 cores from 3 gang switch, 1 to each of the other 2 way switches. i could draw a diagrtam, but can't put it on computer. no doubt a member with better computer skilss can do that.

 

[normanton]

Theres some links on the E&T forum

 

[robskiing]

Nice one jud that tells the op everything he needs to know like someone said earlier just take one sw at a time my daughter could follow that diagram

 

[topquark]

Sorry to but in a bit late here. Is this 3 gang switch going to be one of the ones in the kitchen? If it's not then you do need an intermediate for the kitchen; one of the requirements was for this 3 gang to control the kitchen light that would be switchable also from either end of the kitchen.

I'd envisaged this 3 gang being in the hall given what it was controlling.

 

[telectrix]

just re-read op. well spotted topquark. intermediate sw. can go between the 2 2way sw's for the kitchen

 

[JUD]

Hi

I need to put a 3 gang switch so that it controls the following 3 items Independently:

1) Main hall lights (this will be controlled 2 way from either end of hall)
2) Front inside porch light (controlled from only one location)
3) Kitchen lights (this will be controlled 2 way from either end of room.

Can someone please give me some step by step instructions please to help guide me. I would be very grateful.

Also do some place like tlc do 3 gang switches for my scenario above.

Chris

Sorry to but in a bit late here. Is this 3 gang switch going to be one of the ones in the kitchen? If it's not then you do need an intermediate for the kitchen; one of the requirements was for this 3 gang to control the kitchen light that would be switchable also from either end of the kitchen.

I'd envisaged this 3 gang being in the hall given what it was controlling.

The OP doesn't actually say where the 3 gang switch will be installed, only that it will be controlling lights in the 3 different locations with 2 of them being 2 way.

 

[telectrix]

The OP doesn't actually say where the 3 gang switch will be installed, only that it will be controlling lights in the 3 different locations with 2 of them being 2 way.

yes, i know, but re-reading the post, it would be logical for the 3 gang to be in the hall as 1 of the lights it controls is the porch light. if it's going to be in or adjacent to the kitchen,ok. nice diagram btw.

 

[topquark]

The OP doesn't actually say where the 3 gang switch will be installed, only that it will be controlling lights in the 3 different locations with 2 of them being 2 way.

Yep, hence the question JUD, it could be read either way. I kinda guessed it would be two switches in the kitchen and two switches in the hall. The switch nearest the porch able to control the hall/OS light and kitchen (hence that being the 3 gang). One the other end of the hall just to control the hall light. So I envisaged the kitchen switch nearest the hall being an intermediate.

Could be read as if the 3 gang were in the kitchen as well (as it doesn't say where it is). I think there are four separate switches though from the way I read it.

 

[JUD]

yes, i know, but re-reading the post, it would be logical for the 3 gang to be in the hall as 1 of the lights it controls is the porch light. if it's going to be in or adjacent to the kitchen,ok. nice diagram btw.

In that case....

 

[topquark]

In that case....

Yep, spot on mate. What drawing package are you using

 

[Des 56]

Just skipped through this thread and my own head is fried with all the instructions
The kitchen light switching is getting like an Agatha Christie who done it,but in this case what is it

The poor fellow must have formula 1 speed neurons racing arouind his head trying to grasp it allarty: