Hall & Stairs

hi Everyone!

After trawling the web for an answer I thought this would be a good place to ask.

don't shoot me am a noob!Applaud Smiley

Ok i am renovating a house at present, house had a rewire few years back, but I wanted a double switch at bottom of stairs (hall light/landing light) and a single switch on landing.

As it sits,

DOWNSTAIRS

T&E (blue/brown) supply to hall rose - 2 brown & E, live & switched live to hall switch in COM and L2 (Working). 2 brown & E for landing in L2 and Com

strapped L1 (lights upsta)to L2 (lights downsta)

UPSTAIRS

T&E (blue/brown) supply to landing rose from hall

I have tried different ways to get correct lighting

plz could someone explain the proper way to do it

is it possible to also switch hall & landing on at landing switch, or am i being silly?

cheers in advance

Pipe ..::

Is this any help?

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/SPECIALLOCATION/twowayswitching.jpg

cheers Special,

reading up still!! Guiness Drink

am i wrong in using twin brown cable for switching, I am one of the lucky few that dont need english regs (Northern Ireland), but still i want to do it right,

as I said in my previous post that is where i am at, is it wrong? cud you correct me?

Hello Pipe are you a plumber by any chance. We usually use three core and earth for two way switching but I have seen twin used on jobs but to me it gets a bit confusing.

Batty

You need three wires e.g. 3core+E

between each pair of two-way switches (excluding the earth wire!)

and two wires e.g. twin+E

from one end of the 2-way to the light fitting,

(assuming the power is looped at the light fitting.)

If you want FULL two way switching with

a double gang two-way switch in the hall

and another double gang two-way switch on the landing

There will be two 3-core+e between the switches,

and a Twin+E from landing light to upstairs switch.

and a Twin+E from hall light to downstairs switch.

So again assuming power is looped in and out at the ceiling roses

with all of the above cables pulled in you can have two completely independent pairs of two-way switching on on the downstairs & one on the upstairs light circuits.

heres some diagrams. excuse the bad quality,and they are also old colours

standard 2 way circuit, as done by most sparks



the alternative method of 2 way circuit



and for 2 way switching at both up and down

heres some diagrams. excuse the bad quality,and they are also old colours

Click to expand...

Nice drawings

But I wouldn't have the upstairs & downstairs lights with shared neutrals?

they would be on different circuits!

both lights will be connected to the same circuit

both lights will be connected to the same circuit

Click to expand...

So if that circuit fuse blows the stairways could have no operational lighting at either top or bottom...

I Never do it like that:|

Avoid hazards & minimise inconvenience in the event of a fault. 314.1 (i) ?:|

I prefer Upstairs lights & downstairs lights.

keep at least One light working either top or bottom

stop the old dear tripping down the stairs when the fuse blows.

I Never do it like that:|

Avoid hazards & minimise inconveniece in the event of a fault. 314.1 (i) ?:|

Click to expand...

its just the way ive always wired it, avoid having 2 points of isolation at the switch

Specials method

As long as you have not got two phases in one switch two circuits is ok. I always wire it specials way.

Batty

As long as you have not got two phases in one switch two circuits is ok. I always wire it specials way.Batty

Click to expand...

both are safe and work, so either can be used.

at least it would save a cable from down lighting to up light

its just the way ive always wired it, avoid having 2 points of isolation at the switch

Click to expand...

Thats no problem because a competent person should be opening up a switch.

Whereas it could be elderly person, maybe poor eyesight, got no light at all on stairway.

Its just the lazy way that stems back from the old days of

1 lights, 1 socket, 1 cooker & 1 imm' heater 4-way wylex cu IMHO.

no problems with multiple circuits in one switch box...

Thats why guidance always recommends a competent person, or if in doubt they can turn off all circuits at the CU.

Which in my experience a lot of customers do...

cuz they seem amazed I can work on the sockets with lights still on!!!!

cuz they seem amazed I can work on the sockets with lights still on!!!!

Click to expand...

and others still expect to be able to watch TV whilst you work on the socket its plugged into!

and others still expect to be able to watch TV whilst you work on the socket its plugged into!

Click to expand...

and keep the washing machine going & the bread machine while you modify the kitchen ring! ] :^O

we can ALWAYS arrange power for the kettle though!

we can ALWAYS arrange power for the kettle though!

Click to expand...

got a genny in the van for anything like that

Cup of tea is the most important thing. I have a BT van with a stove in the back so if customer doesn't make one I make my own.

Batty

Cup of tea is the most important thing. I have a BT van with a stove in the back so if customer doesn't make one I make my own.Batty

Click to expand...

Biscuits?

Cake?

tell us which lay-by you'll be parked in ..

and we'll all be round Monday 11:00am for tea & cakes:x;\

Biscuits?Cake?

tell us which lay-by you'll be parked in ..

and we'll all be round Monday 11:00am for tea & cakes:x;\

Click to expand...

I always stop at 10 am see you on Monday.