What do you call the type of light switch that allows you to

[Alan Medic]

turn the same light on or off from in my case either floor. I'm showing my complete ignorance here but for years we've had a landing light which won't turn off on one floor if it's not off on the other. I figured if I sorted this out it would improve my quality of life by about 1%. Not to be sneezed at.

[red devil]

2 way switch...http://www.lightwiring.co.uk/lighting-circuit-components/light-switches/gangs-and-their-ways/

[DulwichFox]

2 way Switching.

DulwichFox

[Alan Medic]

It never occured to me it would be called something as sensible as that. Thanks RD.

[Alan Medic]

Thanks Fox too. This leads to another question. On the ground floor there is from what I've read, what must be a single gang two way switch. On the 1st floor there is a double gang switch which works two ways with the ground floor switch, but the other switch in the double gang does not work two ways with the single switch on the 2nd floor.

Does this mean that the single gang switch on the 2nd floor must not be a two way switch or that either it or one part of the double gang switch isn't working the way it should. Or could it be either case?

[ed_pete]

AM - just because the switch is two-way doesn't mean it'll operate a single light with another two-way switch. It has to be wired to do so. I doubt that the double gang switch has one single-way and one double-way. More likely is that the 2nd floor switch is single-way or that it's double-way but they are not wired to both operate the light.

[Alan Medic]

Thanks ed_pete. It makes sense that the double gang switch would both be double way. Like you say I now expect the issue to be with the single switch on the 2nd floor. Is it easy to tell the difference between a single and a double way switch if I were to look at it? If it is double way, is wiring it to operate that way or indeed replacing a single way switch with a double, something that's easy to do for an amateur? In other words, is it just how the internal connections of the switch are........connected, or something more involved?

[ed_pete]

If you look at the link from RD above it shows the difference between a one-way and two-way switch - essentially a two way switch has three terminals and a one way has two. Regardless unless you thoroughly understand how your lighting cabling works and how its all connected I wouldn't recommend a DIY approach.

Another page from RD's link shows how two two-way switches are wired.

http://www.lightwiring.co.uk/two-way-switching-3-wire-system-new-harmonised-cable-colours/

[Jah Lush]

Roger.

[red devil]

Common sense says all light switches on a staircase should be wired 2-way, so my hunch is the 2nd floor switch is faulty or has been mistakenly wired one-way. Either way, as ed-pete suggests, best to get a sparky to give it the once over...

[Alan Medic]

I have replaced a wall switch before, a light fitting and wall sockets. However I'm not particularly comfortable with electricity and always turn the mains off. Do you think that if it was a case of just replacing a faulty switch it requires additional knowledge a sparky would provide? I'm not in a position to call in a tradesman when any old thing doesn't work without considering the cost v ability to do it myself.

[peckham_ryu]

I'm pretty useless at most DIY, but I find light switches doable. As long as the relevant circuit is definitely off, and you have a cautious attitude, I don't see the need for an electrician. (Speaking from a practical rather than regulatory point of view anyway.) Having said that, changing light switches always entails a lot of oaths sworn by me at fiddly wires that refuse to behave themselves!

Top tip: always make a sketch of the wiring in the old switch before you remove it, and if there's any danger of losing track of which wire is which then be sure to tag the wires somehow (with tape) so you can tell them apart later.

[red devil]

To meet Building Regs a sparky should be used if you're adding or moving a light switch/socket etc. However, if you are just replacing cover plates like for like, you are allowed to do it yourself. Most new cover plates will come with fitting/wiring instructions, usually with the old wiring colours too, so if you feel confident you can do it, give it a go, I've changed standard switches to dimmers with no problems...

[bob]

I call mine a wife

Bob S