3 way switching- Hotel Style.

[mawgantolcarne]

Hi Eveyone.

I'm curious about the 3 way switching arrangement similar to that seen in a hotel room.
Switch at door with two additional switches either side of bed that can turn on/off main ceiling light. Simple.

However now to make it a lit bit confusing....

Single gang Intermediate switch at door with two gang two way switches either side of bed.

3 way switching arrangement to control main ceiling light with additional two switches that turn on/off bedside lights independently.

Questions?
Ignoring the two switches for the side lights.
Would the three way switching be wired like any other 3 way switching arrangement?

A switch feed to the intermediate switch also possible?

Many thanks

 

[plugsandsparks]

Cannot see the problem, its the way i would do it for a bedroom, in fact i have a 3 way switching arrangement in bedroom which has two separate 3 way switching either side of bed, one for main light like you want and one for the hallway light outside the bedroom. This allows using the hallway light to not disturb the 2nd person when getting up or going to bed when one is already in bed, asleep. Each side also has bedside lights just like you want.

 

[mawgantolcarne]

Cannot see the problem, its the way i would do it for a bedroom, in fact i have a 3 way switching arrangement in bedroom which has two separate 3 way switching either side of bed, one for main light like you want and one for the hallway light outside the bedroom. This allows using the hallway light to not disturb the 2nd person when getting up or going to bed when one is already in bed, asleep. Each side also has bedside lights just like you want.

Thank you for your quick reply.
Sounds like you have a really good setup at your place.
So having the intermediate switch at the door and the two way switches at the bed is pretty standard.

 

[littlespark]

cough Quinetic cough


Seriously though… nowadays there are different solutions for multi way switching that can be easier or cheaper to implement.

 

[DefyG]

So having the intermediate switch at the door and the two way switches at the bed is pretty standard.

Probably not as the longest cable run would be from bed to door, it would make more sense of cable use to have a 2way switch by the door. But what you propose would work.

 

[pc1966]

Probably not as the longest cable run would be from bed to door, it would make more sense of cable use to have a 2way switch by the door. But what you propose would work.

Can you get double intermediate switches so there is a bed-side light on/off as well?

If not available (or at least not in the chosen aesthetic range) that would be an argument for the two-ways by the bed and intermediate by the door. Extra cable is not going to be that expensive, is the getting it in place that usually hurts!

 

[davesparks]

cough Quinetic cough


Seriously though… nowadays there are different solutions for multi way switching that can be easier or cheaper to implement.

Whilst I can see their merit for retrofit jobs or installations with a limited lifespan I would still go for a wired option wherever possible. Easier and cheaper doesn't always result in the best quality.

I'm not convinced that the wireless options are going to last the decades that a normal switch would.

 

[brianmoooore]

Can you get double intermediate switches so there is a bed-side light on/off as well?

Made up a few unofficial Int + 1W or 2W from MEM/Delta switches a while back. The switch modules were fixed to the faceplate by a single screw, and took only seconds to make a intermediate switch and a 2G2W switch into a 1G2W switch and a Int.+ 2W switch.
Could always use grid switches , of course.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Thank you for your quick reply.
Sounds like you have a really good setup at your place.
So having the intermediate switch at the door and the two way switches at the bed is pretty standard.

As mentioned, it does not really matter that much where you put any on it. Lots of switches from say scolmore have options so you can build up the switches as you like them. Suggest you choose some nice switches you like and see if they have the options you require. cabling is neither here nor there. Its all doable

 

[pc1966]

Made up a few unofficial Int + 1W or 2W from MEM/Delta switches a while back. The switch modules were fixed to the faceplate by a single screw, and took only seconds to make a intermediate switch and a 2G2W switch into a 1G2W switch and a Int.+ 2W switch.
Could always use grid switches , of course.

After I posted I immediately thought of the grid switch option, but your custom switch is quite an interesting way of doing the same!

 

[Avo Mk8]

Varilight do intermediate and 2-way on the same plate as standard offerings (with different finishes), eg:

2 Gang 1 x Intermediate 1 x 2 way Light Switch - Screwless Brushed Steel | Varilight (XDS71S)

 

[mawgantolcarne]

This is how I planned to wire the three way switches. Is it possible to have the cable from the light to the intermediate switch instead of the two way switch seen the diagram. How would you wire it in?

 

[Avo Mk8]

Is it possible to have the cable from the light to the intermediate switch instead of the two way switch seen the diagram. How would you wire it in?

I don't think it is possible to do it the way you ask.
The light and feed need to go to the 2-way switches, and you can have as many intermediates as you want in between.
In your case put a 2-way where the feed to the light is, and use triple and earth cable off to the intermediate and then to the other 2-way.

If you've only got a single switch at the moment that operates the light, as has been suggested you could put a Quinetic wired receiver switch there, and then stick two transmitter switches wherever you need them. It's a tradeoff between higher overall cost and less work wiring!
I've used them for 2-way switching etc. and never had any problems
One of these: Quinetic 1 Gang Wireless Switch c/w Built In Receiver - White | Quinetic (QURS1W) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QURS1W.html
And two of these: Quinetic 1 Gang Wireless Switch - White - IP67 | Quinetic (QUWS1W) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QUWS1W.html

 

[timhoward]

I need to draw this and check, but…
PL feed to Com at first switch
3core to intermediate but use one core as N
3 core to final switch using 3rd core from COM as SL return
Then light to SL return and N at intermediate switch.
I think.

 

[pc1966]

That diagram looks like the typical 'strapper' arrangement with an intermediate switch. You could have more intermediates along the way, all the same (brown linked, grey & black on the switches) all in 3&E cable, if desired.

Whether you put the live feed and switch junction at the light rose (as shown) or at an end change-over switch is a matter of convenience.

In the proposed arrangement there is only two cables of T&E/3&E at any one location, plus however the light goes to the rose junction. Bringing L&N to a switch and then switched L&N out to the light means 3 such cables at one of the ends, but equally that helps if you want in the future to change to some control that needs N there.