Intermediate switch - working in not all combinations

[Justinn]

Hi guys,

I was asked to pull a new lighting circuit (from an existing one) for a loft bedroom.
I have taken supply from an adjacent light with the Live wire going into first 2way switch and neutral directly into the light.
I have a problem where if the intermediate switch is operated the 2nd 2way switch will not turn the light off and vice versa.
I’m trying to work out where I’ve gone wrong but I believe it has all been wired correct and probably just can’t see the obvious.
Can someone give me an idea where I’m going wrong.
Please see attached picture for wiring arrangement.

Thanks

 

[FrodoOne]

The "Heading" should be
"Intermediate switch - working in not all combinations".
There IS a difference.

I was asked to pull a new lighting circuit (from an existing one) for a loft bedroom.
I have taken supply from an adjacent light with the Live wire going into first 2way switch and neutral directly into the light.

Presumably, the "Line" wire - and the "Neutral" directly into the light."

I have a problem where if the intermediate switch is operated the 2nd 2way switch will not turn the light off and vice versa.
I’m trying to work out where I’ve gone wrong but I believe it has all been wired correct and probably just can’t see the obvious.

You have wired something wrongly!

Posting the diagram of the way in which you think that you have wired it is not of much assistance - to you or to anyone else.

The simplest cause is likely to be two of the same (notional) colour insulated conductors reversed.
Who knows which?

Take the "low impedance" multimeter (which you must have)
and
start checking out the connections.

 

[Justinn]

Right… Instead of being an ***hole and trying to be helpful, you can just be helpful.
There IS a difference.

To answer your first point english is not my first language so I accept the criticism and will change the heading.

The Line is going to the switch first and then from there a SL is going to the light and neutral directly into to the light.

The picture with a diagram is to illustrate the exact way of my wiring combination.
I thought it will be easier to show the connections rather than trying to explain.
However please see the breakdown below:

The live to L1 of switch 1, then from, L1 of switch 1 to L1 of switch 2, then from L3 of switch 2 to L1 of switch 3.
Then grey wire from L2 of switch 3 to L4 of switch 2, placing a brown sleeve on the wires to indicate that it is intermittently live. Another grey wire from L2 of switch 2 to L2 of switch 1.
Joined the two end switches with a black wire to each common. And then connected the blue wire from L2 of switch 1 to the light circuit.


I don’t have a low impedance meter as I work in maintenance and only doing this as a favour. I have checked the connections numerous times and I can’t find a fault therefore I thought if I ask here someone might see/notice something I haven’t.
I guess I will try and rewire the whole circuit in a different way and see if this will sort it.

 

[ETAF]

maybe a faulty switch - if wired correctly - i would test that , if you can borrow a meter

 

[mikeyd]

Are you sure your intermediate switch terminals are numbered as in your picture?
Some are like this:

 

[Justinn]

Thanks for all replies.
@ETAF I was actually thinking of this possibility as for the 3rd switch I had to chase the wall for the cable so maybe some debris has gone into it, I will certainly check that.
@mikeyd very good point and to check this didn’t even cross my mind so I will check that.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The "Heading" should be
"Intermediate switch - working in not all combinations".

Really?

I didn't see it before the alteration but it could hardly have been worse than that.

 

[Justinn]

Quick update. Turned out I wired the last switch wrong and common was connected to L1 and vice versa. Once this was put right it worked fine.
Thanks a lot for all the help.