Light switch

[feebal]

I have one of those switches in my house where two switches control one light (a switch at each door to the room basically) - these are supppose to work in conjunction with each other so I can turn the light on with one switch and off with another, however it seems they've been wired up wrong and only work together if pressed in a particular order (very complicated). These were installed by the previous owners. I know that when you buy a switch you get a diagram of how to wire them up included. Does anyone know where I can get this diagram online so I can have a go at rewiring the switches myself? Thanks.

[maggie01]

I thought you were supposed to get a qualified electrician in to do those sort of jobs these days unless you know what you are doing.

[gen2]

You will find diagrams here

http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/3wayswitch.html

[feebal]

Thanks gen2

[tony1941]

Feebal; be a bit careful with the instructions on gen2's site. The theory is absolutely fine, but the refences to colours of wires could lead you astray as it is an American site. They have different wire colours (and obviously different screw colours, too!). UK wires will be red for live and black for neutral (assuming they have been there some time as we have now adopted a new standard which is so confusing that it can only lead to disasters - even with "qualified" electricians). A third wire between the switches may be yellow (old standard) or black with a red sleeve (more recent). Good luck, remember to isolate the circuit first, and you shouldn't have too many problems.

[dawg_kane]

each switch is a two way switch and should have connections L1 L2 L3 inside,

L2 ans L3 are what determine the state of the switching and the lights, id guess that someone got these two the wrong way round , try swapping them over on one switch only to reverse this (with power off of course)....