Written by 2 way light switch wiring (3 wire system, new cable colours)
2 way light switching (3 wire system, old cable colours)
2 way light switching (2 wire system)
3 way light switch wiring (3 wire system, old colours)
3 way light switch wiring (3 wire system, new cable colours)
3 way light switch wiring (2 wire system)
A two way light switch has three terminals and is quite like a sigle way switch but now the ‘off’ position can be utilised also.
Some brands of switch may have slightly different labeling on the terminals (such as C L1 L2 or even L1 L2 and L3).
This type of switch is used where two switches control the same light, such as at the top and bottom of a stairway. You can use it as a one way switch, by using the COM and L1 terminals only.
single gang switch face
Single gang two way light switch
Switch mechanism
Two way light switch mechanism
In position 1 (when the switch is down or ‘on’), COM and L1 are connected together (just like the one way switch). In position 2 (when the switch is up or ‘off’), COM and L2 are connected together.
There is never a connection betweeen L1 and L2.
