Lighting Circuit

rcdltd · 09-27-2011, 06:05 AM

Hey everyone,

I would like to ask for some advice. I am putting in a new lighting circuit into a dining room extension, which the client wants to be 2 way. There is an exsisting light in the dining room which is currently one way, but they also want this to be 2 way.
The switch line for the exsisting light is at a switch in the dining room. The switch line for the new light is at a switch on the opposite side of the room in the extension. I have run a 3 core and earth between the 2 switches but am unsure how to wire the switches so both lights are 2 way. Thanks for any help.

P.s I am installing a new light on a new circuit and I want the original switch to be made a 2 way switch. I also want the old light and new light to be both operated 2 way.

Thanks

Ron6519 · 09-27-2011, 08:06 AM

Your post indicates 2 things,
1. You are not an electrician.
2 You are not qualified to charge people money for this.
You don't know enough to even use the correct terminology.
Tell the client, you're sorry, but that you cannot do this job because you do no have the required skill set. And rather then cause his house to burn down or someone get electrocuted, he should hire someone qualified to work on the electric.

rjniles · 09-27-2011, 08:59 AM

Don't be too tough on the poster. Based on the terms he uses, he is not in the US or Canada. Although I agree it does not sound like he has electrical experience. Sounds like what he is calling 2 way, we would call 3 way (although frankly 2 way is a better description).

joed · 09-27-2011, 12:09 PM

I think what you want is the two light(new and existing) to be operated at the same time by two switches.
You can't do it the way you have the cables currently run. You need to feed both fixtures from the same switch. So you have two choices. Run the cable for your new fixture to the existing fixture. Or if the power comes into the first switch you can run the cable for the new fixture to the existing switch. The three core cable is fine between the switches.