Light Switches One Way, Two Way, Intermediate

[@tonydyer4959]

This is brilliant - I've been looking for a simple explanation like this for ages!!!! Clear explanation of 1, 2 and 3 way switching and a look at how the switches actually work. 10/10.

[@iestynjones5796]

Clearest explanation I’ve ever heard. Brilliant as always. Thank you John.

[@matthewashton1975]

I really appreciate the time you put into the videos and for sharing your knowledge of all things electrical with us.

[@juliusangachi4793]

Thank you so much for your explanation that made sense to me on how the intermediate switch looks like from the inside Also explanations on between the DP and intermediate switches

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Complex arrangement... had one of them this last week. 5 storey building, customer wanted each landing to be switchable from that level, above, and below... so the 3 intermediate landings ended up with 3 gang switches (below/here/above)... the bottom and top ended up with 2 gang switches... (here/above, or here/below, depending). Had to use grid switches (to US viewers, the grid arrangement is similar to how you guys do it, the switch modules are separate from the cover plate, you can mix and match). Fairly 'bread and butter' electrical work, but when the customer comes in halfway thru the job and sees dozens of wires at one switch position, then comes back an hour later and it's all working as designed, you get kudos :)

[@Ro32da72]

Brilliant. So much more information than just 'this is how to wire it'. Clear diagrams and explanation made it easy to understand. Thank you.

[@hollyhillbilly1747]

Excellent video's. This channel is the best. No nonsense and just explains everything so clearly. I am after learning so much already

[@martinthompson7632]

Life saver John! I just opened the switch mechanism and all internals fell out; it all looked a complete mystery until coming across this video after a long frustrating search.

[@mariah4451]

I tune in as much for your dry sense of humour as I do for the educational value. Love it :-)

[@gopherbar]

Thanks John for a thorough explanation, excellent work.

[@bobrose7900]

Great explanation John and very clear. There is more than one way(excuse the pun) to cable two way and intermediate switching - a follow up showing the practical ways to do this would be useful.

[@jwflame]

Lighting circuits covered in these videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_Th2puZshpidk kzbin.info/www/bejne/goGtkKF7Zq90p8k

[@paulfaulkner6299]

You are a very good teacher, John. Keep it up.

[@identitywithheld1027]

I concur with similar comments. Appreciate your time and effort, very generous.

[@madbstard1]

Nice explanation. And loved the LN connection "There's a huge explosion and the word comes to an end" :D

[@yogayama5432]

You Channel is a life saver!. Thank you for explaining what I have always thought of as Black Magic. I can now understand how 2 way switching works and can use it in my van build. Excellent Video

[@DanstheEngineer]

Great explanation JW. I'll be sending this to my apprentices to give them an understanding of the different types.

[@cr03ks]

Dans the Engineer lol I'm an electrician and this still confuses me it's because I've probably wired 1 or 2 in my life, I think it's because of the 3 cores, I do normally commercial and singles if wired differently

[@DanstheEngineer]

adam c when I was a 1st year apprentice I drew different wiring methods of two way and intermediate switching and stuck my drawing by my bed.... sounds sad ha but I learnt it very easily after seeing regularly the different ways.

[@jhale3524]

Thank-you JohnWard for your videos they are more than educative.I am really great full for your work.

[@spidiq8]

This is a great tutorial and it has just been a lightbulb moment for me, I've tried to understand how 2 way switches work for a while, thank you.

[@AviKhali]

Thank you for making it easy to understand these switches

[@craigm2351]

Thank you. You have just helped me out with my understanding of these issues!

[@martinwinfield2935]

Thank you another clear and consice explanation of an item we all use in one form or another.

[@hasannaci]

Well explained John, now I'll be able to fit a few of them in my garage and garden shed this weekend. thank you,

[@sophiaenright1583]

thank you so much JW, that was incredibly helpful for my first year course :) really appreciate the thoroughness and detail that went into your explanation!

[@aleksandergjoni888]

JW makes the best videos ever. I've seen almost all of them. How about the 2 way dimmer switch? Please make a video

[@cygnus108]

Clearly explained as usual..Thank you for the time and effort you put into your videos.

[@MrChenguo]

It might be a sample question for pros, while it took me a half day to figure out how it works. It is a double pole switch. Thank you so much. Your Video is absolutely useful. There are 3 lights in one single switch. Probably there are too many wires, they use a single switch with 4 terminals, extra link wire on the top, which confuse me. It is a double pole switch.....Great video!

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

Such a clever way of doing it. I always got confused about switches now I understand.

[@cr03ks]

Knuckles the Echidna I'm an electrician and an intermediate switch always confuses me lol its because we rarely wire them

[@JamesCRocks]

Thanks. your video helped me replace my kitchen light switch and sort out the switch that was switching the wrong way :)

[@joshuaashley.wordplayarts]

Hey John. Love your stuff. Could you do a video for a two gang switch. One switch to middle light ceiling rose, the other switch for 3 wall lights?

[@davidw.mugaya1419]

Wow! You broke it down so simply. Thanks alot.

[@vovi547]

This helped me understand an intermediate switch... Thanks!

[@GeeTheBuilder]

Having just wired up my new kitchen with 3 switches of 4g each controlling 4 circuits I could have done with this vid before. Still, it all works and the wife loves it. The switches, I mean.

[@LSF315]

Good luck trying to reassemble those switches. Great video.

[@mehowq]

Absolutely fantastic explanation. Thank you very much.

[@patrickjacobsen7805]

Awesome I always wanted to see the inner workings of an intermediate.

[@jocksparrow8095]

This guy is brilliant at explaining

[@ashvanbro9329]

Another great video john

[@stevemcgowan3017]

I've actually ordered 3 way power outdoor connector so can just connect power outside all to connector and use switch in house when needed

[@normanboyes4983]

Thanks JW - very well illustrated and explained.👍

[@theirisheditor]

It looks like the two way switch can toggle between two lights. If the L1 and L2 of various two way switches are wired directly to various light bulbs, it would make for an interesting candid camera clip watching someone trying to try turning on (or off) all the lights of a large room. E.g. flicking any switch would cause a few bulbs on its L1 to go out and a few other bulbs on L2 to light up.

[@no_short_circuit]

John, thanks for the video - how many folk know what the inside of these switches actually look like? Can you confirm that in a 2-way switching arrangement you can have as many intermediate switches as you want.

[@jwflame]

Yes, just add the extra intermediates in the same way as the first one. Can have as many as you want.

[@negussieamanuel6496]

Wonderful lecture!!!thank you very much

[@joeyysossa4144]

I have an Argo 2 switches gang switch it has 4 screws they are labeld COM...L1..L2 all horizontal... but dont show any screw for NEUTRAL...how can i connect it to control my 2 light bulbs???

[@JAMALUDDIN111]

Thank you so much. Was confused because mine had 3 holes and i didnt know if i coukd use it for my switch that has just 2 wires coming out. . So when i put the wires from the wall into the new switch socket, can they go into any hole or is it spacific which wire goes in which holes

[@tommyhanlon8012]

Excellent J.W. Thanks again. Very Good.

[@jj81453]

Your last comment about double pole just gave me an aha moment. I realised what I was trying to replace was a double pole switch not a 1 way, or intermediate. It is for a bathroom light, do you have a video about these?

[@aspudkicker]

Hi John. At 9:27 there is brown on the plastic piece of the switch. Is this grease or is it burn marks? I liked the video insertion at 3:07, it took me a little by surprise while I was eating my breakfast. Thank you for doing a video on light switches, I've recently changed a number of light switches in my house, and was going to offer you the crunchiest of them.

[@jwflame]

Grease, the switch is a new one, never used.

[@jive091]

Thanks fella, very good video and explanation 😎👍

[@larsalfredhenrikstahlin8012]

Thank you! learned just what i needed for a diy repair today

[@davekincaid2621]

Great, just what I needed to know. Thanks.

[@reg2590]

Nice teardown of UK light switches, thanks. It would have been nice if you had included a chart showing the differing terminology used. i.e. when ordering you would look for a 1 gang 1 way, 1 gang 2 way or a 1 gang intermediate. And double gang 1 way, double gang 2 way, etc. Gang meaning the rocker switch bit. In the electronics world they are described different again i.e. double pole single throw (DPST) = 1gang 1 way.

[@jwflame]

More info on the website : www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/index.cs4

[@nowthenad3286]

Thank you John

[@successfullonglife674]

Thanks for the info, appreciate it. Question : Can a single pole switch and a two way switch be connected on the same circuit breaker?

[@56jmack]

Another excellent video John. Have you any plans to do one on DALI lighting?

[@Perplexer1]

I learned something. Thank you.

[@anshulkdutta]

Nicely explained. Thank you

[@graemeb7988]

Excellent work Sir. thanks

[@mavezy]

Excellent video

[@PhilReynoldsLondonGeek]

Why would I have two extra wires on the "out" side of a two way switch? It's at the "supply" rather than "lamp" end of a two way arrangement - there are two wires to the other switch, of course, but also two other wires connected with them. Unless they are somehow meant to be part of the supply/switching arrangement for a fan - this is in my kitchen - I can't think what they'd be for. This came to light after I replaced the "lamp" end switch - there was a flashover occurring in or at the terminal end of the switch that was causing the light to flash whenever it was supposed to be off. I am intending to get a smart (Zigbee) switch module fitted - likely in the loft unless there's a way to do it at a switch without undoing the two way arrangement - but am now wondering how these extra wires might be affected.

[@A_S_M_R]

Who’s in the urn?

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks John

[@stevemcgowan3017]

hi John I have an outdoor power switch its one or 2 way.i just want to wire my hot tub with rcd adapter to switch and there is already power coming out house from dishwasher fused connector which we don't have dishwasher.i used caravan plug on outside wall for my camper van charging .so its 3 mains wires I want connect to switch .is it same as your light switch here in 1 or 2way .steve

[@johnalkiviades2779]

It's been very difficult to find a video on 2 gang 2 way lighting. A hallway light and landing light. Switch for hallway has 2 switches and switch for landing light has also 2 switches. This enables you to turn the upstairs landing light on from the downstairs switch and vicer versa. Any chance of a wiring diagram or video. Thanks

[@jwflame]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/goGtkKF7Zq90p8k

[@andrewpotter3995]

Brilliant information, thank you 🙏

[@abdulbarimohammed829]

Really helpful thanks @Johnward

[@AlfiePowell-p3e]

nice glasses john

[@dugagjindervishaj3440]

hello John can you please tell me how much volts and Amperes do i need to run an smart drive motor to 5000 rpm without burning the motor or it's possible to do that at all?

[@grahamd4764]

The world comes to an end. Ha! Ha! Love it! Absolutely brilliant!

[@jonathancook4022]

very useful video

[@imonw3b]

Hi John, how do you wire the Linear Halogen Lamps 118mm 230V 230W? Does it have polarity? Thank you.

[@jwflame]

L to one end and N to the other, polarity doesn't matter.

[@imonw3b]

John Ward Thank you.

[@vylbird8014]

I rewired mine so I could turn the light on and off using a radio remote. It involves an impulse relay. My light switch is now a button.

[@petepaton7172]

And the lord (Ward) said, let there be light. Intermediate theory always puzzled me .... till now = Happy Days

[@vlncents]

Hello John can you help me with this switch ive come across in a new build....... its a two way switch in a livingroom. One side its a standard two way switch as you have indicated however the other is what seems to be an intermediate. its marked on one end...... loop and 2way and on the other ......common and 1way . Theres three wires in the loop, 2 wires in the 2way, one in the common, and two in the 1way. How does this work ...it looks as if its powering the downstairs loo as well which is on a single 1way I want to replace with metal light switch but cannot find a metal 4 connector switch (intermediate) they are all plastic. Can you advise ...can I wire this up on a normal 2way switch ...or am I stuck with the plastic switch plates.Thanks...ps your vids are brill by the way

[@jwflame]

The loop terminal is an additional one that some switches have to connect the neutrals together. Any normal 2 way switch can be used as a replacement, with a separate terminal block for the wires currently in the loop terminal. It is NOT an intermediate switch.

[@ellecam5445]

I’ve been look for a video that explains the difference but was still wonder if it was possible to use a two way switch as a one way as the brand that I’m looking to buy seems to not make 1 way also I found that my bathroom light switch has an extra wire so I don’t know what switch to use

[@jwflame]

Yes, a 2 way can be used as 1 way, and intermediates can be used as 2 way or 1 way.

[@m101ist]

Is it possible to make a double pole switch from a intermediate switch? 🤔

[@jwflame]

Yes, just use 3 of the terminals, 4th one is not connected. An intermediate can also be used as a 1 way switch if needed.

[@leaturk11]

great stuff...

[@இயற்கைவிவசாயம்வேளாண்மை]

Thanks to give explanation

[@RichBlaker]

Thankyou, thankyou , thankyou.

[@stevemcgowan3017]

hi john hope you and family all well.i have 3 terminal switch and want connect to lights 240volts from my consumer unit I've fitted in shed.ive got get consumer unit metal with mains switch and 2 rcbo,s 6amp for lights and 32amp for sockets.ive got light direct to rcbo at moment but want wire switch in using light cable in uk.my switch has common terminal at bottom and 2 terminals at top.so not sure how wires go from consumer to switch to light.steve

[@jwflame]

Lighting circuits are covered in detail here: www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/index.cs4 and for a single light this is the usual method: www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/connect_at_switch_for_garage_or_loft.cs4

[@stevemcgowan3017]

@@jwflame thanks John

[@blinkyblonk4912]

You're an interesting no-nonsense guy .

[@GeeTheBuilder]

I found it really difficult to find a 2g wide 4 x intermediate switch. I had to make it up using grid switching.

[@sbusweb6344]

+John Ward Whats' with the shiney new-looking chair with red-stripe around it? Does this make videos process faster and fiddly-tasks magically get completed more easily?. Or, is this part of a subconscious scheme to join a revolution to return to Red Yellow Blue Black fixed-wiring-colours post-brexit ;-). [In all seriousness IET have declared their membership of CENELEC is independent of EU-membership.].

[@jwflame]

The dull explanation is that the old chair broke, and a new one was required quickly. Other colours were fluorescent green or white. Red seemed like the marginally better choice.

[@sbusweb6344]

Reminds me of deliberations over replacement laces for running-shoes. Pleased you like my comment =).

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Interesting. What in the UK is called a two way switch is called a three way switch in Canada. An intermediate switch is called a four way switch. Darned if I know what we call a one way switch.

[@thebuggy736]

What is the name of the two switch wires L1 and L2 in the UK? Travelers?

[@jwflame]

Strappers usually.

[@stevemcgowan3017]

so I just connect the neutrals together and earths together then use live through the switch I guess

[@twn5858]

In the US they call them single pull, 3-way and 4-way switches.

[@CutLeRoc]

Nobody cares about the US

[@twn5858]

Yep, it's a hell hole police state.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Thanks for the info... it's interesting to know the terminology. The 3 and 4 way are 'the number of terminals' i believe... wonder why the single pole single throw (UK 1-way) didn't get called '2 way' in the US?

[@paulfaulkner6299]

Are you an Umpalumpa too?

[@DerekHundik]

i'm trying to find 1 x intermediate and 1x 2 way in 2 gang switch . Only modular are available

[@jwflame]

Use a double intermediate - intermediates can also be used as 2 way or 1 way.

[@DerekHundik]

yes you right ,but that double the costs and 2 gang intermediates are not easy to find either. What I'm going to do is buy 2 gang Schneider switches and take out 2 way switch and replace with intermediate. Those look identical.

[@Wasdejavu]

Nice

[@PlasmaHH]

My grandparents house was only fitted with intermediate switches everywhere...

[@cr03ks]

Dennis Lubert in the electrical trade domestic this is has hard has it gets if you can understand this then the rest is easy

[@hemiolabooks450]

Does anyone sell just the pivoting contact for a one-way switch I wonder? I keep repairing it with new solder to beef up the point of contact, but of course the arcing soon wears it out. But a new whole switch? No no no..

[@jasonh1498]

Instructions unclear. Installed intermediate switch with two lines in. Can't turn light off.

[@devttyUSB0]

I bet you came here through thomas nagy's video too ;)

[@vinayyadav7514]

Job

[@n6vcw]

...and of course there's a huge explosion and the world comes to an end. Hilarious!

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

In the US we do things much.... In the US... In the US... In the US... Blah Blah

[@Zlinky111]

❤👍🇬🇧😁

[@johnduncan34]

N

[@barrybritcher]

😂

[@vinayyadav7514]

SWjob