I need to alter the existing wiring in our lounge as at the moment there is a switched central light plus two wall lights but these aren’t switched at
all since the old wall lights had inbuilt pull cords.
I am going to replace the existing 1-gang light switch with a 3-gang version but am unsure how best to wire this.
I could run three separate cables to the switch, effectively wiring three completely separate switches, but this would mean there would be three
lives, three switched returns and three earths to accommodate in the switch back box.
Alternatively I suppose I could run a single supply to the switch and loop this to each of the three gangs. Then I would still need three cores for
the switched returns plus an earth meaning I would need some 4-core plus earth cable but there would be just 5 cores in all to accommodate in the back
box rather than 9 if I use separate twin and earth cables.
What’s the correct way of achieving this?
John.
Ive used this type in the house .. Also use a remote in the bedroom ..
Hall stairs n landing was a breeze with a common digital 2 way conection between upstairs downstairs.. .. eBay Item
The 2 way has a special (2 way) common connector which allows each switch to talk to each other ..something like that
[Edited on 23/2/17 by johnemms]
What do you mean by live returns? Are you referring to neutrals?
You first need to make sure there's a neutral at the switch position as if you wire 2 wall lights from the switch they won't work without a
neutral
By a live return I mean using the blue core of the twin & earth cable (sleeved brown) to take the switched live from the switch back to a junction box or similar from where the switched live plus a neutral and earth would go to the wall light. Hope that makes sense.
I'm not sure I follow?
You only need 4 cores.so run 2x 1.0mm twin and earth's
1 will have a permanent live plus a switched live
1 will have 2x switched lives
The earths will terminate to the back box
That's sounds fine and minimizes the number of cables in the back box but is using a twin & earth as two switched lives OK. Can't see
any reason why not, I guess I just hadn't considered it.
John.
quote:
Originally posted by John P
That's sounds fine and minimizes the number of cables in the back box but is using a twin & earth as two switched lives OK. Can't see any reason why not, I guess I just hadn't considered it.
John.
quote:
Originally posted by John P
That's sounds fine and minimizes the number of cables in the back box but is using a twin & earth as two switched lives OK. Can't see any reason why not, I guess I just hadn't considered it.
John.
If you are going to go the two twin-and-earth route, you could just buy the proper cable that comes supplied with two brown cores. Alternatively, a slightly unusual option, but not forbidden by the regs as far as I can tell, would be 5-core YY cable.