Use a 1 way light switch in a exisiting 2 way setup?

413x

413x

413x

Caporegime
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I didnt realise that the living room was 2 way when i bought the new switch (i dont even know where the 2nd switch is)

i was just wondering if i can just wire it up as a one way

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the wiring is the same as in the red square
 
If i understand you correctly, you don't know where the 2nd switch is? and therefore don't use the 2nd switch, just the 1st switch you are trying to change?

Best to use a 2way switch but you could alter the wiring to use a 1way switch but it may be a pain in the ass later on. normally the 2nd switch would be the other side of the room if you have 2 doors, maybe the other switch was changed in the past from a 2 gang to a single gang switch and the wires are taped up behind?

To do this, put both L1 and L2 in the L1 terminal in the 1 way switch...

or you can determine which of the current wires needs to be live to turn the light on by looking before starting work and remembering the switch position when the light is turned on, normal top out bottom in would be L1 connected, opposite would be L2 connected, then just connect that wire into L1 on the new switch and make the 'spare' wire safe. assuming the current switch isn't fitted upside down, if it is when you check behind reverse the result.

Should work fine, although obviously i haven't seen how its wired in person.

Remember to turn power off before you start working, and ideally check the power is off with a tester.
 
HardwareGeek said:
Best to use a 2way switch but you could alter the wiring to use a 1way switch but it may be a pain in the ass later on. normally the 2nd switch
Should work fine, although obviously i haven't seen how its wired in person.
Click to expand...

Should work fine, that's the problem, but we can only guess how it's wire, so it's safer to stick with a 2way switch.
 
I've noticed what I think I'd the second switch which is never used and is a broken pull cord.

What would be the issue using the one way switch as suggested before? Major problems or just that it wouldn't work?

I don't really want to buy another switch, and not even sure they do a 2 way version. Annoying I can't return it either

I do have A multi meter
 
You got link for that switch, surprised it's only a 1 way version.

Have a look at the pull switch wiring if it's like the right hand diagram above, then replace pull switch with a 5amp 4 terminal junction box, using the black/red & blue/red together & two reds together in the terminals, plus earth in another one only, & disregard the yellow, I would just tape it off.

Then you can then replace the old switch with your new switch Red to C & Blue/Red to L1.

AND PLEASE SWITCH OFF ELECTRIC BEFORE DOING ANY WORK.
 
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