Two way light switch question, award winning photographs of problem.
#1
11-03-12, 05:47 AM
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: england
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Two way light switch question, award winning photographs of problem.
Hi all,
I have got a small problem, my lovely wife took the cover off a 2 way light switch and removed the wires from their holdings within the switch. This was in order to do some much needed decorating.
However, the problem is that her not so technically minded husband does not know which wire goes where to fix it.....
As can be seen from the attached 5 photographs, there appear to be 6 wires, although there is a 7th wire that goes into a small block.
Looking at the switch itself there are six ports for the wires. This switch controls a light at the front door and a light at the top of the stairs.
Hopefully the images may help. Can people take a look and give me your opinions please.
You will do me a huge favour if you can work it out !!!!!
Thanks
Steve, based in London, UK
stephen_w_1970@yahoo.co.uk
#2
11-03-12, 07:45 AM
Yellow/green is earth. The "block" is a connector. All earths in each box are connected together using the connector. They are not a functioning part of the circuit and can be disregarded except for testing.
In one box is a hot that comes from the mains. It will go to the middle, common terminal. It is easy to find. With a volt meter measure between ground and each wire. The wire that measures 220 volts is the hot from the mains.
In the other box one wire goes to the light and it connects to the common. If you are lucky it is the same color as the hot in the other box.
The other two wires in the box go to L1 and L2. They are interchangeable. In the States we call them travelers. I'm am doing this I hope you understand on standard knowledge of 3-way (2-way) circuits. Not knowledge of British wiring.
In one box is a hot that comes from the mains. It will go to the middle, common terminal. It is easy to find. With a volt meter measure between ground and each wire. The wire that measures 220 volts is the hot from the mains.
In the other box one wire goes to the light and it connects to the common. If you are lucky it is the same color as the hot in the other box.
The other two wires in the box go to L1 and L2. They are interchangeable. In the States we call them travelers. I'm am doing this I hope you understand on standard knowledge of 3-way (2-way) circuits. Not knowledge of British wiring.
#3
11-04-12, 02:23 AM
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: england
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Thanks Ray, I will give that a go
Cheers for looking at my post, I should be able to sort it from here, hopefully.
