3 position switch ; ON-OFF-ON

[Marcus John]

Hello
I'm after a switching solution to my shed exterior lighting.
The shed is located 20metres from my house and is currently switched locally by a standard weatherproof on/off switch.
I'd like to have remote switching to illuminate my path down to shed.
I've looked at PIR switching but the range seems to be limited to about 12 metres.
I've looked at wireless switching but that's very expensive.
I like the idea of photocell switching but i'd like the option of an override facility to manually switch on the light before twilight or after dusk or to switch the lights off completely i.e when i'm away from home.
I was thinking of a switch that can switch the line conductor ON-OFF-ON and to be weatherproof.
Cheers

 

[Marcus John]

Unless I'm much mistaken, as Wales still uses the 2010 version of Part P (which is much stricter than the 2013 edition used in England when it comes to what constitutes a special location/special installation), adding a light to or modifying a circuit that is outside, would require notification as outdoor lighting and power installations are considered special installations.

Yeah fair comment. The Welsh Approved Document P states that outdoor lighting and power installations are special locations, however it also states garages and sheds are not special locations.

 

[SparkyChick]

Yeah fair comment. The Welsh Approved Document P states that outdoor lighting and power installations are special locations, however it also states garages and sheds are not special locations.

Absolutely, but if you're putting a switch outside... I would say that constitutes work in a special location. It is a tricky subject that appears (like so much relating to the regulations) to be open to some level of interpretation.

I will concede that I have installed new lights outside, without notifying (these were not replacements and so the maintenance caveat did not apply), but that was early on and these days I tend to err on the side of caution.

 

[Midwest]

The 2010 edition of Part P, one of the definitions of a 'Special Location' is outdoor lighting, also gives guidance in Additional notes page 8;

f) Detached garages & sheds are not special locations. Work within them is notifiable only if it involves new out door wiring.

g) Outdoor lighting....are special locations. Any new work in, for example, the garden or that involves crossing the garden is notifiable.

I do recall that a new luminaire attached & fed from main house, was not (i.e. front door light), but can't find reference to that.

 

[Marcus John]

The 2010 edition of Part P, one of the definitions of a 'Special Location' is outdoor lighting, also gives guidance in Additional notes page 8;

f) Detached garages & sheds are not special locations. Work within them is notifiable only if it involves new out door wiring.

g) Outdoor lighting....are special locations. Any new work in, for example, the garden or that involves crossing the garden is notifiable.

I do recall that a new luminaire attached & fed from main house, was not (i.e. front door light), but can't find reference to that.

Welsh Part 'P' : Installation of equipment attached to the outside wall i.e security lighting is not notifiable providing there are no exposed outdoor connections and the work does not involve the installation of a new circuit.

 

[Risteard]

Cheers for that suggestion but I believe that's a retractive switch. I'm looking for a 3 position switch that does not reset to centre 'off' position.

As I already stated yesterday it is not retractive although such an option is also available.

 

[Marcus John]

As I already stated yesterday it is not retractive although such an option is also available.

Yes thank you.....I've found it. Model K4899WHI - 2 Way and Centre OFF.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

How about two PIR controlled lights, one at the house and the other at the shed?

 

[Davisonp]

I have used this and it does work from a good distance. "Remote Controlled Switch Box IP66 - 3 Gang - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KBIP663G.html"

 

[bigbalu]

Use a 2 gang 2way switch, switch A to act as a main switch feeding switch B common, one side of switch B feeds PIR, other side overrides PIR in parrallel and switches lights directly. You would be able to
1. Switch off everything and inhibit PIR from switching on in low light.
2. Switch on switch A and use switch B at any time to energise the outside lights even if the PIR fails
Could be a cheaper solution using simple components

 

[1Justin]

@Markus, This entire thread makes no sense regarding your proposition for "ON OFF ON" switches (whatever they are).

You presumably have a supply cable with one line conductor, you can switch in one place only. (ie your shed, or if you chose to change where the switch is located, at the house).
You need another communication "channel" (ie a spare cable core, RF switch or PIR) to do both.
PIR will probably be disappointing, walking straight towards a beam from a long way won't work very well.

(You might ask your electrician if the underground cable is 3 core, and thus if it's possible to use the SWA as CPC, freeing up a core. - That possibility depends on several important design issues beyond the scope of this thread. Also, the work to organize that would in any case, soon become more costly than a cheap RF switch.)

 

[Specialist]

Justin: He's talking about a normal Single pole, Double throw switch from the sounds of it.

 

[Marcus John]

@Markus, This entire thread makes no sense regarding your proposition for "ON OFF ON" switches (whatever they are).

You presumably have a supply cable with one line conductor, you can switch in one place only. (ie your shed, or if you chose to change where the switch is located, at the house).
You need another communication "channel" (ie a spare cable core, RF switch or PIR) to do both.
PIR will probably be disappointing, walking straight towards a beam from a long way won't work very well.

(You might ask your electrician if the underground cable is 3 core, and thus if it's possible to use the SWA as CPC, freeing up a core. - That possibility depends on several important design issues beyond the scope of this thread. Also, the work to organize that would in any case, soon become more costly than a cheap RF switch.)

Makes sense to me mate........it's just a single pole double throw switch but has a third function of being able to open both circuits. Line conductor to common. L1 to outside light / switch live. L2 to photocell switch supply then photcell switched live to L1 of SPDT switch. Switch will provide me lights on conventional way, lights on via photocell or lights off.

 

[Marcus John]

Justin: He's talking about a normal Single pole, Double throw switch from the sounds of it.

yes but having the third function of 'no throw'

 

[Specialist]

It's not a third function, it's just center off.

 

[Marcus John]

Use a 2 gang 2way switch, switch A to act as a main switch feeding switch B common, one side of switch B feeds PIR, other side overrides PIR in parrallel and switches lights directly. You would be able to
1. Switch off everything and inhibit PIR from switching on in low light.
2. Switch on switch A and use switch B at any time to energise the outside lights even if the PIR fails
Could be a cheaper solution using simple components

@Markus, This entire thread makes no sense regarding your proposition for "ON OFF ON" switches (whatever they are).

You presumably have a supply cable with one line conductor, you can switch in one place only. (ie your shed, or if you chose to change where the switch is located, at the house).
You need another communication "channel" (ie a spare cable core, RF switch or PIR) to do both.
PIR will probably be disappointing, walking straight towards a beam from a long way won't work very well.

(You might ask your electrician if the underground cable is 3 core, and thus if it's possible to use the SWA as CPC, freeing up a core. - That possibility depends on several important design issues beyond the scope of this thread. Also, the work to organize that would in any case, soon become more costly than a cheap RF switch.)

It's not a third function, it's just center off.

It's not a third function, it's just center off.

Sorry man....I was led to believe a switch functions by turning a piece of equipment 'ON' and/or 'OFF'.