Wiring Diagram 2 Way Switching of a Lighting Circuit Using the 3 Plate Method Connections Explained

I’ve learned more in 15 minute from this video than I have the entire month since I started my course. Massive Props for explaining things properly considering my tutor is only arsed about telling bad jokes😂

Very clear, thanks.

Good job

Gary,

An interesting method of wiring those switches. Here in the states we do it a bit differently. The strappers or travelers as we call them go to what you refer to as L1 & L2 the permanent line would go to the common of one switch and the switched line would connect to the common of the remaining switch to the light fixture. Both work equally well, but like a lot of things between the states and the UK they are done differently. Keep up the great work, I enjoy learning new things . Merry Christmas.

Thank you saved me a lot of hassle.

Thanks mate u just got me through a test at college 😂😂

Am I right in assuming I can’t take a feed for say a new wall light in the next room from the permanent live at switch 1? Is this because there is no permanent neutral at switch 1? I always have to come from the ceiling rose to install lights in other rooms?

Does it matter if the strappers go L1 to L1 & L2 to L2 rather than in your example?

thanks great video

Brilliant video, very clear and helpful instructions

How do you identify the live cable coming in from the CU, line in, into the ceiling rose? Example if someone has used another Com terminal within the trio.

Thank you for this but I have a question I have 4 separate lights that all go to a 4 way switch then a 2 cor cable going from the 4 way switch to the consumer unit I want to add another 4 way switch is this just a case of running a 3 cor from switch to switch ? Does this all sound ok ?

Brilliant. I wish you were my teacher lol

Have you a video of the same, but when the feed is to the switch?
Great video

Is therr somewhere to download them sheets i would love to draw them out for practice

And what do I do if three wires are red and an earth wire

The common on a one way switch is permanent live but when a 2 way switch is used the common becomes secondary live and either L1 or L2 becomes the permanent live, Why is this, why wouldn't common be used as permanent live at all times even if it means just renaming the terminals? Seems odd to change the meaning.

Fantastic, clear and informed

Thanks very much Gary you are good instructor and put alot of effort into your videos they are enjoyable and a very good learning experience.

If I connect two switches up in a light switch as per this video (cable and switches already installed), but it trips the breaker switch, what might be the cause (all the wires from the switch are hidden, but appears someone disconnected one of the switches... Moved in recently...)

Explained very well thanks

I cant wait to know half as much as you know...!!!

Does it matter between switches if you go L1 to L2 with the strappers does it have to be L1 to L2 and L2 to L1 or can it be L1 to L1 etc

Fabulous video 👍👍👍

Very informative thank you

Really enjoy watching them, very informative and breaks down a lot of book work in simple video's. Always use them when studying the relevant sections.

Hello how you connect this

Done this task 2-3 times in college and they have never explained why it works how you have explained haha, Starting to get worried I’m not being taught properly 🤦‍♂️

Really good video.. Great teaching 👍

Hi. Could you able to help me? I connected a 8 led batten lights in to a 4 gang switches (2 light per switch). The lights are sometimes dim and sometimes bright. Do you know what is a probable cause? I searched on the internet and it’s says loose wiring connections but I’m not sure. Thank you in advance.

I ⚠️ it's easy to remember that the strappers is a three core + the CPC cable that goes in between the two two-way switches. 😳

Thank you. I have been able to master this at my own pace :)

What we do is take a live from the circuit breaker to the common of switch 1 ... then we run 2 wires the same colour from switch 1 "L1" to "L1" of switch 2 and the same with "L2" from switch to "L2" of switch 2 ... then from the common of switch to the light fitting.

I was watching Tom's video and wondering why you guys confuse 2 way switching ... it is such a simple task confused by the way you guys do it.

really good explanation, thank you

Amazing videos, how would this change using down lights? Without the loop?

Hey there, do you have a video to explain 2 gang 2 way switching where all cables are going through a junction box in the loft to control the two separate lights?

Really wish the wires could bend like that when I’m doing this😂

Very good. Thank you.

Thanks so much. But I would like to help me, how can I control a number of light using the same switch and when each has its own switch to control it.(wiring diagram)

Hi Gary hope you're all well. Just wanted to give a big thank you, your videos have helped me with my course A LOT. One thing I am confused about and would like to ask you is;

If I wanted to add an extra bulb to the existing circuit so both the lights turn on at the same time via the Two 1 Gang 2-Way switches, how would I do this. I have my practical exam coming up and would appreciate if you could help me out?

Many thanks

How comes for the 1way switch the permanent line goes into common but for 2way it either goes in l1 or l2 ?

This days we can use wireless light switches which is easy to install and will save a lot of materials and time !!!

thanks you sir

Why not use twin brown in this instance?

Great video. Students prob find that style of drawing simplest to understand, but you could draw some sections of wires on the 45deg to avoid drawing wires through the middle of the switch plates. Do you ever cover doing a 2 way switch system using just T&E (but 2 cables) if no 3core plus earth avail? (Is that allowed in the regs)

How would you add a smart switch to this ??

Great instruction video. I am looking to change a pair of 2 gang 2 way light switches. Have you any wiring diagrams for this please?

Thanks a lot. This really helped me :)

I thought it was live to common on first switch L1 - L1, L2-L2 and then common on the second switch goes to ceiling rose. Is this wrong or just a differnet method?