Wiring switch for 2 way light and outside light

[chaoticj]

Hi all,

Most of the light switches in the house where there is more than one switch operate not how you would expect, as in the switch nearest to the light should control it so I started to fix these yesterday.

The utility has a pair of switches. Unfortunately I got distracted when changing the wires over and may have mixed one up, I think there were 6 wires, one to each of the COMs, L1s and L2s - all of the wires are red and they are not labelled.

The switch on the left should be for the utility light, it can also be controlled from the kitchen. The switch on the right is for an outside light.

If the switch on the right is on, everything else works OK, if its off, all of the rest of the lights turn off. The outside light does not work at all.

If I disconnect one of the wires, the outside light will turn on and off but none of the other lights then work. The COM is permanent live.

How do I fix this please?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

How do I fix this please?

With Plan A or Plan B.

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  • http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/House_Wiring_for_Beginners#Lighting
    
  • http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+lighting+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  • http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index
• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Work out what should go where and connect everything up properly.

PLAN B:

• Get an electrician.

There are some irresponsible people here who will tell you that there is a Plan C, which is to start trying different things without really knowing what's going on, hoping to get it working by luck, or by blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without any idea as to why. Please don't listen to them - you must know what, and truly understand what, you are doing.

Electrical-installation-by-guesswork is a foolish idea.

There is no Plan C for anybody sensible

 

[chaoticj]

I am trying Plan A which is why I have already looked at the books I have however they don't describe the exact situation I'm facing.

I do have a multimeter but how can I check for continuity between link wires when it won't obviously reach?

 

[Taylortwocities]

.

I do have a multimeter but how can I check for continuity between link wires when it won't obviously reach?

Loop two wires at one end and look for continuity on two conductors at the other end, maybe.
Or
Use a length of wire connected at one end to the earth conductor. Then look for the wire that has an earth on it
Or
Use a very long piece of wire
Or…there’s loads of other ways of doing it.

 

[chaoticj]

Thanks Taylortwocities I tried the first suggestion, also my other book has clearer diagrams.

Labelled all wires and wrote down functions etc.

Swapped COMB and L2B and now outside light (plus everything else) works fine..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I am trying Plan A

Good man.