Can you use a 2 way switch in place of a 3 way?

[jack]

Hi everyone!
Need some help!
Wifey is gonna kill me otherwise!

I have a corridor L shape.

3 switches

The old switches had 1x 3 way and 2x 2 way switches.

I threw them all and in error bought 3x 2 way, i cannot find 3 way switches anywhere, so wondering is there a way of wiring a 2 way switch to make it 3 way?
thanks!!

 

[Shakey]

basically, no

three way switches are coomonly available

try TLC, QVS etc

 

[jack]

Hi,

Thanks for your post.
Neither have 3 way switches
They are defo not common, i am yet to find anywhere.

 

[Shakey]

Hi,

Thanks for your post.
Neither have 3 way switches
They are defo not common, i am yet to find anywhere.

sorry Jack, but do you know the difference between 'gang' and 'way'?

most people dont and i assumed you didnt, so you actually mean 3 way, not 3 gang?

if so, then why would you need a 3 way switch? cant for the life of me think of an application for it

give some more details and i could almost certainly adapt 2 or 3 gang 2 way switches to sort you out!

 

[rumrunner]

hi jack ,i think maybee you want an intermediate swich along with 2, 2 way switckes ,has one of the switches got 4 terminals,if so its an intermediate
all the best

 

[Shakey]

hi jack ,i think maybee you want an intermediate swich along with 2, 2 way switckes ,has one of the switches got 4 terminals,if so its an intermediate
all the best

i hope you are right Rum, i've been kicking around this game for a few months now (i'm a paperboy by trade) and i've never seen a three way switch

still think this is confusion between the terms 'way' and 'gang' though.....

 

[rumrunner]

hi ,an intermediate switch (often called a 3 way switch) is used in conjunction with 2 two way switches ,it has 4 terminals and connects in the strappers ,you can have more than one intermediate s/w and is a method often used with L shaped corridors.(please dont confuse with american termanology ,as in the u.s the above would be a 4 way switch )
and for once shake im right
atvbitwww
ive uploaded a diagram ,but it doesnt seem to want to display everytime ,heres the link Ultimate Handyman: three way light switching

 

[Shakey]

agree with you Rum - but it still leaves the question unanswered - why cant he get a repalacement - intermdeiate switches are common and i have pointed him to a few suppliers.....

 

[supasparx]

agree with you Rum - but it still leaves the question unanswered - why cant he get a repalacement - intermdeiate switches are common and i have pointed him to a few suppliers.....

Could be that he's having trouble sourcing an intermediate switch for the type of style/design of switch he has chosen.
Although I cant imagine any manufacturer bringing ou a 2way switch in a particular range and not doing an intermediate to match.

 

[rumrunner]

maybee hes asking for a three way switch ,and they think itsa wind up

 

[Shakey]

maybee hes asking for a three way switch ,and they think itsa wind up

could be rum, either way someone is getting confused with terminology

 

[snatch]

as rum mentioned. i also think its a intermediate switch he is on about.. i have the same in my house. a couple of years ago when decorating the wife picked some chrome switches for the hall way. most diy stores do not carry intermediate switches and had to order from electrical supplier.. in the end went back to plane white as the cost was 3 times the amount we paid for 2 way switch.

 

[jack]

hehehe, hey chaps,

ok, it does seem theat i need intermediate switch from what you all say.

Its a L shaped corridor with 3 switches.
the wiring on the 3 switches are different.
2 of them have 3 wires, one has 4 wires.

I have been asking for 3 way switches and they are just saying no they dont stock them...

so, i will now go out and ask for intermediate... Thank you for all your help guys!

I will call the first 2 companys of this thread.

Will let you know updates.

 

[Shakey]

if its got 4 wires, then it is an intermediate

Graphite Wiring Accessories Light Switches and Sockets

should do the trick!

 

[madmatt]

Yep Agreed guys I am pretty certain he is looking for an Intermediate switchplate not a 3 or 4 way and probably a 1 Gang sw at that which would obviously create a 3 way circuit for the corridor.... Good luck ..