More information and diagrams below:

Step by step instructions on Changing a one gang two way light switch.

This is the most commonly used switch on the bottom and top of stairs. Two way switches can appear difficult at first but if you take your time and study the pictures/diagram below, it should be pretty straight forward.

You will need a 2way light switch for this, they can be identified by looking at the terminals on the back of the switch.

E.g. com (common) L1 terminal and L2 terminal.

One Way Switch	Two Way Switch

6 Diagrams - Click on the desired colours and difficulty to show diagram

Brown sleeving or tape would of been placed on the wires as shown to show the blue is live.

“There are other methods of wiring a two gang two way switch but this is the most common way and is the easiest by far” - Jamie Vernon of Online Electrical Services LTD.

 

How to convert a 1 gang 1 way (single switch) to a 1 gang 2 way switch system?

For 1 gang two way switching you will need 3 core and earth cable to reach from your new intended light switch to your old existing light switch via the easiest route. Click here for permitted cable routes.

Once you have run the 3core + earth cables from A to B you will need to place it in the appropriate system. Click here for different back boxes and containment.

Below there is 3 pictures listed per stage. The reason being there is different cable colours and this is to be sure that your colour is listed here! (Only one of the pictures per stage will apply for you).

NEW COLOURS If your existing light switch cables look like this follow the top pictures.       OLD COLOURS AND EXISTING OLD COLOURS TO NEW 3 CORE CABLE If your existing light switch cables look like this follow the bottom pictures.

NEW COLOURS Add the 3 core and earth as shown in this picture. All the wires should have brown sleeve/tape on them, I have left some off so you can see the colours.     OLD COLOURS     Add the 3 core and earth as shown in this picture. All the wires should have red sleeve/tape on them, I have left some off so you can see the colours.   Existing old colours to new 3 core cable     Add the 3 core and earth as shown in this picture. All the wires should have brown sleeve/tape on them, I have left some off so you can see the colours.

NEW COLOURS AND EXISTING OLD COLOURS TO NEW 3 CORE CABLE Connect the 3 core + earth cables as shown in this picture. The wires on this switch should copy/mirror the other switch.   OLD COLOURS Connect the 3 core + earth cables as shown in this picture. The wires on this switch should copy/mirror the other switch.

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