Help with lighting circuits

[matt1386]

Afternoon all,

Im struggling with how lighting circuits are wired

Simple 1 way switch im fine with, but 2 way switching and intermediate is just confusing me at the minute

I dont think it helps that there are so many different ways of doing it which ive looked at online

Ive also taken the switches off from my parent kitchen 2 way light ( old colours )

On way light theres red in common, red in L1 and black in L2, then on the other light its red in common, black in L1 and red in L2

Why is there a difference in L1 and L2 in the switches ?

if any trainees or qualified guys could help me out I would really appreciate it

Thanks very much

Matt

 

[telectrix]

if you use the forum search ( top right window) for 2 way lighting, there are several threads on the subject , some with easy to follow diagrams. think richard burns has done 1 or 2.

 

[telectrix]

here.....

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-forum-general-electrical-forum/205-2-way-switch.html


look especially at sintra's post, think it's post #8 or #9

 

[matt1386]

Oh thanks very much Tel, im on my phone thats all and every time I click on the search it just doesnt bring up the box to search (my phone is probably knackered)

Thanks again Tel, ill have a good look, appreciated as always

 

[Paul.M]

This might shed some light on the mater (I'll get my coat)

 

[matt1386]

Haha, cheers Paul, gunna have to have a sit down and try get to grips with it all

 

[Simonslimline]

When i started my training lighting circuits seemed pretty confusing but i assure you as time goes on it will just click and all make perfect sense. If you ever get stuck then just draw the circuit on paper first.

 

[matt1386]

Thanks mate, yes finding them a bit confusing at the minute, im fine with the supply cables to each pendant, looping in and out etc... its the 2 way and more switch wiring thats confusing me lol

Matt

 

[Paul.M]

When i started my training lighting circuits seemed pretty confusing but i assure you as time goes on it will just click and all make perfect sense. If you ever get stuck then just draw the circuit on paper first.

Well said Simon. This Monday gone, I went on a call out for a man that tried to change a "2 way switch in the hallway" and did'nt remember where the wires went (lol). Not as simple as they think???

I got there and it was a two gang, two way switch plate that he had F***ed up! All red and black wires (but that has nothing to do with it) with loads of wires sticking out of a back box. What do you do????

Trace the incomer Live (line)
Trace the strapers to the other switches
Trace the incoming strapers then the out going live to the lamp.......


Simple!.............. No its not.... It took me 2 hours to short it out (should have been a 30 min job) and I went to the van, sat down with pen and paper and tried to work out what the hell the circuit was doing with the extra unknown wires I've got?

There was an old light in the hallway on this switch (that was a 3 gang back than) which explains the extra wires.

Just goes to show that even us lot need to write a diagram every now and again lol. Dont be ashamed, its just what we have to do to get the job done and in your training, its what you have to do to understand it all.

Well said Simon. I like it.

 

[Paul.M]

Thanks mate, yes finding them a bit confusing at the minute, im fine with the supply cables to each pendant, looping in and out etc... its the 2 way and more switch wiring thats confusing me lol

Matt

Matt, I'll explain it to you mate face to face on Monday. All you have to do is turn up at the last place I took you to??? About 9:30am??? We've got a few (6) SY cables to terminate into that 3PH DB of ours, fancy it? I've sorted out the re-position of the alarm. Need to install a feed for the main kitchens extraction system, thats your task. Should be a good bit of experience for you mate.

 

[matt1386]

Thats great Paul thanks very much mate

Will see you there at 9:30

Look forward to it

 

[Paul.M]

Thats great Paul thanks very much mate

Will see you there at 9:30

Look forward to it

I'm doing the easy job of the extractor fan Iso. Your doing the SY cable lol..... Heres a tip for you.....

The Practical Skills Series : Cable Termination - SY Flex - YouTube

 

[matt1386]

Oh great haha !

Will get watching that video and hopefully ill remember some of it by monday !

I dont mind though, if I dont try ill never learn

 

[Paul.M]

Oh great haha !

Will get watching that video and hopefully ill remember some of it by monday !

I dont mind though, if I dont try ill never learn

Matt, you did well on your first time SWA (That gland is now going to be service for the next 25 years plus), I'm sure you will do ok on the SY.

See you Monday. I'll get the beacon butties again lol.