This is confusing!!

[securespark]

Look here at US switch wiring

http://www.askthebuilder.com/141_3_Way_and_4_Way_Electrical_Switches.shtml

There, a 3 way switch is one that has 3 terms, a 4 way switch has 4 terms...!!

PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SITE FOR ADVICE ON UK ELECTRICS!

 

[Big_Spark]

Simon, they do things a little different south of the border fella.

3 way switches are so called as they possess THREE terminals, and are what we call TWO-WAY Switches as they switch lights from two locations.

4 Way Switches have FOUR terminals and in the UK/EU they are INTERMEDIATE switches that are installed between pairs of two way switches (3 way in the US/Canada) to operate the lights from a third or more locations.

 

[AdamW]

Is it just me or were those terminals binding post-style? As in you wrap the conductor around the screw and then tighten it? Look at where the red wire meets the switch. That is something I have never seen in the UK, is it against our regs or just that the slug-screw clamp-style connectors are better?

 

[securespark]

Jim, was aware of the difference, mate, just wanted to point out the confusion between the different method of naming the switches.