Two way switch

[Phil Thompson]

Might find it a bit difficult to find sheathed single core and earth

Why? Is it hard to get over the water? CEF should still stock it I think.

 

[Pete999]

Why? Is it hard to get over the water? CEF should still stock it I think.

It used to be the preferred way to use sheathed single, not seen it used for a long time, the Wholesalers may have some, just saying it could be hard to get hold of in the quantities you seem to require.

 

[Phil Thompson]

It used to be the preferred way to use sheathed single, not seen it used for a long time, the Wholesalers may have some, just saying it could be hard to get hold of in the quantities you seem to require.

Indeed, I had to get a roll of SB&E a few months back, after doing a CU change and had a borrowed live as opposed to neutral to sort out a landing light, not used any of it since right enough lol

 

[Risteard]

The way the electrician says is how I'd do it.

1.5mm2 single brown and cpc from light to Sw1, 1.5mm2 Single brown and no cpc from light to Sw2 and 1.5mm2 twin brown and cpc between Sw1 and Sw2.

That's the way almost everyone would do it here.

The 3-core & Earth "conversion method" - whilst taught here - is rarely employed. It seems to be more of an English thing.

 

[Phil Thompson]

That's the way almost everyone would do it here.

The 3-core & Earth "conversion method" - whilst taught here - is rarely employed. It seems to be more of an English thing.

Yeah, I was taught it at the tech as an apprentice but never used it outside of the classroom.

 

[Risteard]

Yeah, I was taught it at the tech as an apprentice but never used it outside of the classroom.

LOL I had one boss who went through a phase of using it for about a fortnight and then back to the traditional method!

 

[Risteard]

Incidentally, it has uses for converting 1-way switching to 2-way switching (hence the name "conversion method"). It means the original setup doesn't need rewired - just the additional cable installed.

 

[telectrix]

i always use the 3c/e method so the light only needs to cable to the nearest switch. oddest way i ever saw was loop in at light, then a 3c/e from light to each switch, so in the pendant were 2 1.5mm T/E and 2 3 core/E. right bloody squash.

 

[David M]

i always use the 3c/e method so the light only needs to cable to the nearest switch.

Me too, I don't get why (in most cases) anyone wouldn't employ this method. Its often the most simple fuss free method in my opinion. Each to their own I guess

 

[Risteard]

Me too, I don't get why (in most cases) anyone wouldn't employ this method. Its often the most simple fuss free method in my opinion. Each to their own I guess

One advantage with the proper method is that as long as twin brown is used for strappers then everything is correctly identified.

 

[telectrix]

never seen twin brown. years ago we sometimes came across twin red.

 

[Risteard]

never seen twin brown. years ago we sometimes came across twin red.

Every wholesaler has it here in stock. And twin red before that!

 

[Maxi]

Sorry to be novice, what is notification?

my understanding was my mate does all wiring and then some one will check and signs it off(certify)

is notification to council?

If your mate was Part P registered, he would be able to test and certify the installation and then notify building control of the work. This is requirement. If the work is not carried out or tested by a registered person, then you are required to notify building control, who will send out an inspector to test and certify the work, for a fee of around £300. So usually always more economical to get a registered sparky in to do it all.

Yes, by building control, I mean department of local council department.

 

[Phil Thompson]

LOL I had one boss who went through a phase of using it for about a fortnight and then back to the traditional method!

I only saw 3c&e at college until my 3rd year when the boss got it to speed up smokes and boilers lol

the conversion method is a good way to make a 1w into a 2w as you say, but to do it for them all I'm sitting thinking about how many wires would be at a 4g switch with 2x2ways at it lol would it need a double track to pipe them all to the box lol

 

[Risteard]

the conversion method is a good way to make a 1w into a 2w as you say, but to do it for them all I'm sitting thinking about how many wires would be at a 4g switch with 2x2ways at it lol would it need a double track to pipe them all to the box lol

LOL and a box so deep that there is no wall left.