Installing wall lights - with a two way switch

[DandJ]

Please, please help!

I have been attempting to work this out for myself all day today (with the help of a not too old copy of a "Home DIY" book and have finally given up.

I am trying to insall two new wall lights together with two, two way switches to enable me to switch either the main light or the wall lights on from two different places in the same room.

I currently have both two way switches turning the main light on and off. However, I do not seem to be able to get the second switch (on either two way switch) wired correctly to turn just the wall lights on.

Apologies if this is an old question - have just joined.

Many thanks.

DandJ

 

[breezer]

the obvious thing to do is to copy what you have done already .

the only thing you have to watch for is that your 2nd wall light should be connected in parlel to the first (red to red black to black etc.)

get one light to work then connect the 2nd in paralel

 

[DandJ]

Hi Breezer,

If only it was that easy!

I cannot get either of the wall lights to work, only the main light. The only time I have managed to get the wall lights to work, they came on and stayed on, at the same time as the main light.

What I am trying to achieve is to put two wall lights above the bed and to be able to switch the main light off (but leave the wall lights on) whilst sitting in bed and then switch the wall lights off from the same switch. If I have to have a single light switch as I enter the room (to switch only the main light on) and then a double switch above the bed to switch the main light on/off and the wall lights on/off that's fine.

 

[breezer]

you need to have 2, 2gang two way switches like this one

other suppliers are available

with out two 2 gang 2 way switches it will not work

if you do have 2 2gang 2 way switches post back EXCATLY what cables (and colours) you have put where

 

[DandJ]

Will do.

Will make a proper note and revert to you.

Thanks very much.

JP

 

[DandJ]

Breezer,

Sorry I did not come back to you yesterday. As requested, here is exactly the way the two switches are currently wired:

Lighting ring (main power) is wired to two gang switch A; red to one way terminal, black to two way terminal. Switch cable red to common terminal, blue to two way terminal linking with black from main, yellow to one way terminal linking with red from main. Switch cable to second two gang switch A is wired red to common, blue to one way, yellow to two way.

This currently enables both two gang switches to turn off/on main (ie the light currently in the center of the room) light.

Wall lights and switch B on both switches currently not connected as various permutations have been tried with no success. What am I doing wrong? Have tried using various diagrams and instructions from a couple of DIY books but none of these have enabled me to switch both main light and wall lights on and off independently of one another.

Look forward to hearing from you.

DandJ

 

[breezer]

this is how it should be done, colour choice is mine, but you get the idea

sorry in formating the switches seem to have lost their sides / bottoms (i also left out the earth connections, as my pc ran out of green lines )

to connect to the actual rose see

except you see the ones marked "switch" (close up of rose) well they are the balck and red going to the switches

 

[DandJ]

Hi Breezer,

Just wanted to say thanks. Lights installed and working perfectly.

DandJ

 

[breezer]

my pleasure (oh and that's 80p please mate)