Modular 2 way switch, 10A 240 V AC, 1 module — ISI-marked to IS 3854; use a pair to control one light from two places, such as a staircase.
- Rated 10A, 240 V AC, for AC supply only, as marked on the body.
- ISI-marked, made to IS 3854, the Indian standard for household switches.
- Three terminals — one common and two travellers — for two-way wiring.
- Arrow marks on the rocker show that it is a 2 way switch.
- Use two of them to switch one light from two places.
- Also works as a 1 way switch, using the common and one other terminal.
- One module wide — clips into the base of a modular cover plate.
A 2 way switch is a changeover switch: its common terminal connects to one of two other terminals, called travellers. Two of these switches, joined by two traveller wires, let you turn the same light on or off from either end — the standard way to wire staircase lights, long corridors, and bedroom lights with one switch at the door and one at the bed.
This modular version is one module wide and clips into a modular cover plate and base on a concealed or surface box. At 10A it suits lighting circuits; for heavier loads choose our 20A 2 way switch.
How two-way wiring works
- The phase goes to the common terminal of the first switch.
- Two traveller wires join the other two terminals of the two switches.
- The common terminal of the second switch goes to the light or load.
- The neutral goes straight to the light or load and never passes through the switches.
To switch a light from three or more places, add an intermediate switch between the two 2 way switches.
Where to use it
- Staircase lights, switched from the top and the bottom of the stairs.
- Long corridors and passages with a switch at each end.
- Bedroom lights switched from the door and from the bed.
- Halls, godowns and car parks with two entrances.
How to install
- Switch off the supply at the MCB and check that the wires are dead.
- At the first switch, connect the incoming phase to the common terminal and the two traveller wires to the other two terminals.
- At the second switch, connect the same two travellers and take its common terminal to the light.
- Clip both switches into their plate bases, fit the plates and test the light from each end.
Electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician with the supply switched off.
Frequently asked questions
- How many 2 way switches do I need for a staircase light?
- Two — one at the top and one at the bottom, joined by two traveller wires. Either switch then turns the light on or off.
- Can I use a 2 way switch as a normal 1 way switch?
- Yes. Use the common terminal and one of the other two terminals and leave the third unused. It then works as a simple on/off switch.
- What if I need to switch a light from three places?
- Use a 2 way switch at each end and an intermediate switch at every point in between.
- What do the arrows on the switch mean?
- They mark it as a 2 way switch. In two-way wiring "up" is not always "on" — it depends on where the other switch is — so arrows are used instead of on/off marks.
- 10A or 20A 2 way switch — which do I need?
- Typically 10A, because staircase and corridor circuits carry lighting loads. Choose the 20A version only when a heavy load, such as a geyser or power socket, is switched from two places.
- Which plate and box does a modular switch need?
- A modular cover plate with base (frame) and a box of the same module size — a concealed GI box inside the wall, or a surface gang box on the wall. The switch clips into the base and the plate covers the board. Count one module for each 1 module switch, and usually two for each socket or fan regulator.
Buy 10A modular 2 way switches online from Electric Market, Chennai. For site, contractor or bulk quantities, contact us for a quote.