more intermediate switch head scratching

[Rockomuir]

Been spending my time trying to sort out a intermediate switching problem at a customers house. The problem i have is that the intermediate is wired what i what i thought was correctly but the switchs only work if you change the postion of the intermediate switch to then operate the 2ways. Effectivly you have two 2way switches. When investigating i found that the one 3 core from the intermdiate switch to the last 2way had 230v between p-e from the downstairs circuit.(intermdiate is on upstairs circuit.) I therefore assumed that there was a link between the 2. I managed to get a few floor boards up and found the 3 core and it just seems to go from the 2way to the inermediate. I disconnected both ends checked r1+r2 and i/r all good. Still got more to check but was wondering if there was any suggestion as to why there was 230v on this cable as i cannot find a link, as far as i can tell apart from a small section of the stairs i have not manged to have the carpet up yet. When i isolate at ccu the hallway lights will only be dead if i turn off both mcb. Racking my brains at the moment as i have been working my way through he circuits but at the moment it is all testing out fine. I know you will probaly say yes there is a link between feeds and i will have to find it but if anyone has any alternative suggestions. I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Paul.M]

Have you tested the intermediate switch? It may be the rocker contact is nackered.

 

[Rockomuir]

checked the intermediate but not the two ways

 

[telectrix]

check and make sure the customer ain't been messing. i had one who'd replaced the switches with posh stainless ones. all done correctly except that he'd used a D/P switch instead of an intermediate.

 

[Top Cat]

check and make sure the customer ain't been messing. i had one who'd replaced the switches with posh stainless ones. all done correctly except that he'd used a D/P switch instead of an intermediate.

F me Tel, have we got the same customers!

 

[i=p/u]

isit possible that someone has added another light upstairs but linked it onto the downstairs , at the top of stairs

install a sensor, its a bilding reg, and walk

 

[Richard Burns]

When you say p-e do you mean protective earth? because any live line conductor would have 230V to any earth.

However check at the switches with a continuity tester to see what is happening at the intermediate switch, one to check it is not a 2 way with a blind terminal (odd) or that the intermediate is not crossing over.

 

[Adam W]

Has it worked in the past? Before getting the pry bar out I think I'd get the bell set out.
"If in doubt, bell it out".

 

[Rockomuir]

What readings would I get if it was the int switch crossing over

 

[Adam W]

What readings would I get if it was the int switch crossing over

Never mind 'readings' it'll either be continuous or it won't. Same with the wires - you can find out what's going where without having to pull the house apart.

 

[robskiing]

Sounds like your looking into this too deeply draw us a diagram of the switches and the wiring I'm pretty sure someone will come up with an answer

 

[Swicade]

I would hazard a guess that one of the 3-core cables at either 2way switch has got the common and strappers crossed over during connection.....resulting in the intermediate switch actualy switching 1 strapper and common instead of the 2 strappers.

 

[vjsmarwick]

Is the mains and the light wire either end or are they both at one end and just the live linked through the switches ? Someone mentioned a diagram it would be good as there are different ways to wire them and I am sure among us we can work it out.