In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Bodysnatcher wrote:

Hi All.
Had this annoying problem with our landing light sice we moved in,
just getting round to trying to sort it out, (only ten years!)
In our hall with have a double wall switch that operates the hall
light and the landing light up the stairs. Upstairs there is a single
switch which operates the landing light.
Now unless the upstairs switch is switched on, when you go to switch
on the light from downstairs it doesn't work! Problem is once you are
upstairs you switch it off at night, in the morning when it's light
no need for the light, so you go on your way untill the evening when
you are ready for bed you go to switch the light on and it doesn't
work because you didn't switch it on the night before/morning.
If wired correctly surely it should be switched on downstairs no
matter what position the switch upstairs is at?
Hope this is clear, if so please explain to me as i'm totally
confused!!!! Can some one help or direct me to a website that
describes the correct wiring ?


Your up and down switches both need to be 2-way switches (with *three*
terminals each, usually labelled L1, L2 and Com) *and* they need to be
correctly wired to allow 2-way operation. Then, the light can be switched on
or off at *either* switch at any time, regardless of the state of the other
switch.

The FAQ at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/electrical.html#two-way shows one way of
doing it - but it isn't the only way - and the best way depends on what you
have already got. My preferred way would be as follows:

* Live feed to Common terminal of downstairs switch
* Light (live) connected to Common terminal of upstairs switch
* [Light N & E connected as currently]
* 2-core cable between the switches, connecting L1 of downstairs switch to
L1 of upstairs switch, and similarly, L2 to L2.

If you draw it out in a diagram, it's easy to understand. There are 2
alternative paths for the current flow between switches. Two switches have 4
on/off permutations, 2 of which complete the circuit (Light on) and two of
which don't (Light off).
--
Cheers,
Set Square
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