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My light switches don't always work the right light
My light switches in my hallway don't seem to work the right way. If I turn the lights on in the hallway downstairs it turns all three floors of hallway on. If I then go upstairs the light switches will not turn the lights off. I have to go downstairs and turn the lights off and then if I turn them on upstairs that becomes the master switch.
Is this an easy or hard job to fix? I just want each light to turn the lights on and off for that floor only like they normally should work.
10 Answers from MyBuilder Electricians
Best Answer
kevin cassidy building contractors
Accrington•Member since 16 Dec 2010•47jobs,100%positivefeedback
Someone's been messing with the wiring and put it back together wrong. an electrician should be able to sort it out in under an hour.
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Feltham•Member since 2 Nov 2008•425jobs,100%positivefeedback
It seems your switch lines have been mixed up. As long as the right cable type was used for the original installation it should be a straight forward job
Thanks
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Maldon•Member since 17 Nov 2016•5jobs,100%positivefeedback
If you insist on doing it yourself ENSURE POWER IS OFF
Look for the 3 core and earth cable (either with red,yellow, blue colouring and earth -green/yellow or if a newer install, brown black grey and earth)
on the back of the switch there are 3 'holes' labled COM, L1, L2. make sure the same colour is in the same hole in both light switches i.e. upstairs and downstairs. If there are more than two switches then its much more complicated as then you have intermediate wiring. be aware there will also be other cables in the back of the switch as well as the three cores ones. The norm in old colours would be the yellow (from the 3core on its own in COM, red in L1 and black in L2) L1 and L2 are normally the ones with other cables in, at least at the "master" end. likely is reds together in L1 then black and blue in L2.
ENSURE POWER IS OFF, this advice is based on a number of assumtions and cannot be guarenteed accurate.
Answered 22nd Nov 2016
London•Member since 2 Dec 2019•537jobs,100%positivefeedback
If it’s a Two way Switch (As in 1 switch upstairs and another switch downstairs both controlling the same lights as an example) ‘Normally’ with that problem you’ll find that the wiring for the 3core and Earth are not co ordinating. So put two and two together and bobs your uncle or it could be your aunt, but it’s highly recommended to let a professional carry out these kind of work... for your own peace of mind.
Answered 9th Dec 2019
Wirral•Member since 24 Apr 2013•9jobs,100%positivefeedback
Switches are wired wrong, easy job for an electrician to rectify. Post a job on here to get a few quotes.
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Scarning•Member since 17 Oct 2011•696jobs,100%positivefeedback
可能是一个简单的方法,因为它可能是西南itches have not been connected in the correct way, in that the upstairs and downstairs two way wiring has been mixed up. The worst case is that its been wired wrongly and was never meant to work as a two way set up and so just needs returning to independent up and down operation. Its not really a DIY job that you can solve yourself, so best place a job here on mybuilder and get a couple of quotes.
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Liverpool•Member since 29 Apr 2014•2jobs,100%positivefeedback
Hi there , the light switches are connected up wrong have you replaced these switches with a decorative type ? Anyhow this is complicated to figure out the connections if you don't know how it's meant to function and would be happy to help if you need me to
Adam
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Sedgley•Member since 9 Oct 2012•17jobs,100%positivefeedback
hi lewis
post the job it should be easy enough to sort out your wiring is mixed up, shouldnt take long to sort out . regards jeh
Answered 30th Apr 2014
Lewisham•Member since 24 Apr 2014•91jobs,100%positivefeedback
Configuration of wiring within switch is incorrect. On site inspection would be necessary to repair and enable lighting to work properly. Telephone advice would not be recommended due to inexperience of customer with electrics. Safety is the main issue.
Answered 30th Apr 2014
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