{"id":1195,"date":"2026-06-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mordio.com\/?p=1195"},"modified":"2026-06-10T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:00:00","slug":"how-to-wire-a-two-way-switch-complete-guide-for-staircase-and-multi-location-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mordio.com\/fr\/how-to-wire-a-two-way-switch-complete-guide-for-staircase-and-multi-location-control\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Wire a Two-Way Switch: Complete Guide for Staircase and Multi-Location Control"},"content":{"rendered":"

Controlling a Light from Two Locations: The Two-Way Switch<\/h2>\n

A two-way switch<\/strong> allows you to control a single light or electrical load from two separate locations \u2014 most commonly at the top and bottom of a staircase, or at opposite ends of a long corridor. While the concept is simple, the wiring configuration differs between the UK, European, and US wiring traditions. Here is what you need to know about how to wire two-way switches in each standard.<\/p>\n

What Is a Two-Way Switch?<\/h2>\n

A two-way switch (called a three-way switch in the United States) has three terminals instead of the standard two. In the UK, these are labelled COM (common), L1, and L2. In the US, they are labelled COM (common) and two traveller terminals (often brass-coloured).<\/p>\n

Two-way switching requires two of these special switches wired together using a pair of traveller wires. When either switch is toggled, it changes the path of the circuit, turning the light on or off regardless of the position of the other switch.<\/p>\n

Two-Way Switch Wiring for BS 1363 (UK)<\/h2>\n

In UK domestic installations (BS 7671), the standard two-way wiring uses three-core and earth cable (brown, black, grey, and earth):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Interrupteur 1 :<\/strong> Connect the live supply to the COM terminal. Connect L1 to one traveller wire and L2 to the other.<\/li>\n
  2. Interrupteur 2 :<\/strong> Connect the switched live wire (going to the light) to the COM terminal. Connect L1 and L2 to the corresponding traveller wires from Switch 1.<\/li>\n
  3. The neutral wire runs directly from the consumer unit (breaker panel) to the light fitting.<\/li>\n
  4. The earth wire is connected to the earth terminals on both switches and the light fitting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Au MORDIO<\/a>, our BS 1363 switches clearly mark COM, L1, and L2 terminals for easy identification. Browse our British standard switch range<\/a> for two-way options.<\/p>\n

    Two-Way Switching for Schuko (Europe)<\/h2>\n

    European wiring practices are similar but use different terminology. The Schuko two-way switch (called a Wechselschalter in German) works on the same principle but often uses:<\/p>\n