Heres a puzzle.

Recently had some building work done.
We have a 2 way light in the kitchen.
One of the switches was replaced as part of the building work.
However there seems to be an issue. Its not switching correctly.
(As far as I know it used to work ok although Im not 100% so it
may have already been broken).

Both switches have 3 core wire behind them. With the switches
removed there seems to be no continuity between the com core
of the cable.

Is it possible to have a 2 way switch wired at one end without
using 3 cores on maybe one side.

(The cable is joined into a ceiling junction box which is very
difficult
to get access to. I suppose getting at that would answer my question
but just before I do can anyone help.)

Matthew

On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:42:32 -0700, Matthew wrote:

Heres a puzzle.

Recently had some building work done.
We have a 2 way light in the kitchen.
One of the switches was replaced as part of the building work.
However there seems to be an issue. Its not switching correctly.
(As far as I know it used to work ok although Im not 100% so it
may have already been broken).

Both switches have 3 core wire behind them. With the switches
removed there seems to be no continuity between the com core
of the cable.

Is it possible to have a 2 way switch wired at one end without
using 3 cores on maybe one side.

(The cable is joined into a ceiling junction box which is very
difficult
to get access to. I suppose getting at that would answer my question
but just before I do can anyone help.)

Matthew

It is bad news that the JB is in accessible. The most likely problem being
a failed connection in it.

You should find that the you can make either switch into a simple one
place switch. To do this you should take the two cores that are in the non
"COM" terminal and pt them into a normal one-way switch. The remaining
core should be insulated.



--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
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Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html

Hi
a puzzle indeed ,you don't say if the light works at all from either switch.
Whilst there are numerous ways to wire 2way awitches the most common using a
3core cable is as follows:-
3 core between switches wired to com L1 & L2 at each switch using the same
core (ie red comm yellow L1 blue L2 or similar)
Then at one switch a twin is connected to L1 L2 going to the light fitting
(this is the feed and switch return)

If you have no light working then check if the builder left this cable out
by mistake.

Failing this the JB in the ceiling may house these connections,

Check for power at both switches if you can. Lack of supports the JB theory.

Failing that others on the group may have other ideas.

HTH

CJ