lighting

[roybutler]

how does three way lighting work?

[spacechimp]

I don't understand :(

[spacechimp]

Do you mean "on", "off" and "dim"?

[roybutler]

three way lighting means you can turn a light on at one switch say down stairs, and turn it off at another switch say up stairs. but how does it work?

[spacechimp]

oh, you want to install it or you just want to understand it?

[spacechimp]

http://www.electrical-online.com/howtoarticles/3-wayswitches.htm

[roybutler]

i want to install one

[spacechimp]

and I have provided a link ;)

[roybutler]

fantastic.. thankyou

[spacechimp]

It's a bit difficult to follow though, bad diagrams and such.

[raysparx]

Hello roybutler, do you want to put one in or just to know how it works?

[ACB312]

The link shown previously shows a circuit for TWO way lighting. THREE way would be to have three switches at different locations powering one or more lamps. I'll try and find a link to a UK wiring diagram.

[ACB312]

Try http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/three_way_lighting.htm

Hope this helps.

[spacechimp]

Firstly, raysparx, I already asked that question. Secondly, ACB312, when I asked what the questioner meant, he said he wanted a lighting circuit which contained two switches.

[ACB312]

Thank you Spacechimp, I should have asked the question before finding an answer.

[raysparx]

Didn't notice that spacechimp sorry

to install two way switching run a three core and earth wire from first switch to wherever you want second switch to be ,turn OFF power at the first switch you will have two wires probably one black and one red with the 3 core wire you will need to connect say the grey wire into the common terminal put the brown wire with the red and put into another terminal and put the two black wires into the remaining terminal at the new switch the grey MUST go into the common terminal the brown and black go into the remaining terminals it doesn't matter what terminals the others go in,it is the common one that has to be correct TO do this job you will need 2x2way switches and pattresses or metal switch boxes if flushing in to wall 3 core and earth cable and clips

Good luck Ray

[spacechimp]

Don't thank me, I was a bit rude to be honest.

[ezapf]

Explanation with animation here:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/three-way.htm

[spacechimp]

I searched on how stuff works but it didn't come up with anything :(

[priceyclause]

If your still struggling, go to your local B&Q, Im sure they'd be happy to help. My local B&Q has leaflets for such things!

Make sure you take note of the Part P though, because im sure you can get done for it if something goes wrong:
http://www.iee.org/Publish/WireRegs/PartP.cfm