Light switch issue

cletus · 27-11-2022 6:29pm #1

Evening folks. I've a question about one of the light switches in my hallway.

The switch in question is for the upstairs landing. There are 3 switches in total controlling the landing lights. 2 switches upstairs on the landing, and one switch is downstairs at the foot of the staircase.

Currently, if I have the lights on upstairs, and turn them off with the downstairs light, I cannot turn on or off the lights with either of the two switches upstairs.

Once I turn them on using the downstairs switch, both upstairs switches will work to turn them on and off.

Both landing switches will work to turn on and off the lights, but it seems like only when the downstairs switch is in what would traditionally be the "off" position.

Is it fair to assume that the issue is with that downstairs switch?

Or is there some other known (but unknown to me) issue I should be looking at

meercat · 27-11-2022 7:34pm

hard to tell specifically without checking

altogether you have 3 switches (1 x intermediate and 2 x 2 way)

if one isn’t wired or functioning correctly then the circuit won’t work as it should

cletus · 27-11-2022 8:11pm

Thanks. It was working until recently, so I presume one switch is now faulty.

Is there an easy way to test a switch?

meercat · 27-11-2022 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928546#Comment_119928546

I’d say it’s a loose connection

your gut instinct may be right

unscrew the switch and tighten connections

dont remove any wiring though (take a photo beforehand if you do)

if it’s not at this switch point then try the next one on the circuit upstairs (either one) then check the last if that didn’t resolve it.

smuggler.ie · 27-11-2022 8:22pm

If not mistaking, failure on one of 2way switches (contact itself or disconnected wire) would have such effect.

intermediate appear to be working fine

cletus · 27-11-2022 8:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928590#Comment_119928590

That's sort of what I was thinking, myself, but I'm just a diy'er

cletus · 27-11-2022 8:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928582#Comment_119928582

I'll do that. We've been in the house 9 years, and the issue has only come to light (pardon the pun) in the last few weeks. Is a loose wire more likely than a faulty switch?

smuggler.ie · 27-11-2022 8:26pm

Furthermore, i bet its the one that is downstairs that is faulty. i suggest start there.

kirk. · 27-11-2022 8:54pm

Speaking of switches those kinetic switches seem to be deadly for adding 2 ways or 3 ways to existing 1gang 1 way controls

No batteries or wiring in the additional switches

They seem to be big in the UK is many sparks here using them

No neutral needed at existing 1way switch and 5watt minimum of led lighting

meercat · 27-11-2022 8:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928607#Comment_119928607

Loose connection most likely.

kirk. · 27-11-2022 8:58pm

I see them on YouTube doing a complete lighting rewire with no switch drops

All kinetic switches and a rack of base receivers in the attic controlling each light in the installation

meercat · 27-11-2022 9:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928590#Comment_119928590

If the connection was loose or broken at the incoming supply to the intermediate switch then that would also cause the same issue

smuggler.ie · 27-11-2022 11:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928733#Comment_119928733

Stand corrected, it is possible, as well as entire length of wire between them two poles. Lets hope its just the switch(s) ☺️

Light switch issue

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