How to Install 2-Way or Multiway Switching with Lightwave (Wired & Wireless)

For a more detailed, step-by-step explanation of wiring configurations, please refer to the Two-Way Switching Wiring Guide and Installation Manuals. This will help you identify your current setup and determine the best option for your installation.

With Lightwave Smart Series dimmers, there are two ways to achieve two-way or multiway switching:

Recommended: Wireless Multiway Switching
Alternative: Traditional Wiring

The Lightwave Smart Series Dimmer supports wireless and wired multiway switching while offering app-based automation, calibration, and advanced dimming control. The dimmer operates on 868 MHz RF communication, supports up to 100W LED or 200W incandescent loads, and does not require a neutral wire for basic operation, although a neutral is recommended where available.

Option 1: Wireless Multiway Switching (Recommended)

Lightwave’s clean and modern approach removes the need for complex cabling.

Wireless Multi-way Switching allows one dimmer to be physically wired as the master, while all additional dimmers communicate wirelessly using a Two-Way Switching automation within the Lightwave app. Once configured, this setup continues to work even without internet connectivity.

Key Requirements

Only one dimmer is wired directly to the lighting circuit (master)
Secondary (slave) dimmers must have:
- Permanent Live and Neutral, or
- A connection to a separate dimmable lighting circuit linked to the primary channel
Secondary dimmers require uninterrupted power for wireless operation
Neutral is optional on the master dimmer but recommended where available

Benefits

No need for three-core wiring
Supports unlimited secondary switches
Reliable operation without internet
Spare gangs can be repurposed as Magic Buttons or scene controllers
Wireless slave dimmers can be positioned anywhere with permanent power

Best Practice Summary

Wire dimmers as one-way only and safely terminate any unused three-core cable. The left-hand side of the dimmer may remain disconnected to enable wireless multi-way switching through the app.

Master Dimmer Wiring

Connect:

Live → L
Switched Live → X
Neutral → N (optional)

The master dimmer is the only unit directly controlling the lighting load.

Secondary / Slave Dimmers

Secondary dimmers should:

Be supplied with permanent Live + Neutral
Have any switched live conductors safely terminated
Remain permanently powered for wireless communication

For 1-Gang dimmers, the switched live is not used in wireless mode. For 2-, 3-, or 4-Gang dimmers, unused three-core cables should be terminated safely.

Additional Notes

Any channel can be used for wireless switching
If no neutral is available, wireless switching must use the far-left channel
If neutral is available, the right-hand (primary) channel can also be used
Secondary dimmers display an “S” symbol in the app once configured
Slave dimmers can only be operated physically, not directly through the app
The LED on a slave dimmer briefly flashes green when activated

Option 2: Traditional Wiring (For Existing Circuits)

This method allows existing two-way or intermediate wiring circuits to be reused with Smart Series dimmers.

Before You Begin

Turn off power at the consumer unit
Isolate the mains before installation
Take photos of existing wiring before removal
Ensure installation complies with BS 7671 wiring regulations
Disconnect Lightwave devices during insulation resistance testing
Consult a qualified electrician if unsure

Identify Your Wiring System

Three-Wire System

Each switch typically contains wires in:

Two-Wire System

One switch contains multiple wires in L1/L2 while the other contains fewer conductors.

(Refer to the Two-Way Wiring Guide and installation diagrams for visual examples.)

Two-Wire System Wiring

Follow these steps:

Move all wires from L1 → L terminal
Move all wires from L2 → X terminal
Wires in C are not required and should be safely terminated
If a neutral is present, connect it to N

Each additional dimmer increases the minimum load requirement by 10W. For example, two dimmers require a minimum 20W load.

Three-Wire System Wiring

First Switch

L1 → L
L2 → X
C → L

Second Switch

L1 → L
L2 → X
C → X

Ensure all wiring is secure and that the connected load does not exceed:

100W LED
200W incandescent per channel

Intermediate Switching (More Than Two Switches)

Intermediate switches can also be reused with Lightwave dimmers.

You can identify an intermediate switch by the presence of dual L1/L2 terminal sets.

Wiring Instructions

Connect one set of L1/L2 wires to the L terminal
Connect the other set of L1/L2 wires to the X terminal

After wiring, complete setup using the Two-Way Switching automation within the Lightwave app.

App Setup (Required for Both Methods)

After installation, only the master dimmer will initially control the lighting. All dimmers must then be paired to the Lightwave Link Plus App and linked using a Two-Way Switching automation.

Creating a Two-Way Switching Automation

Open the Lightwave app
Tap the green + icon
Select Automations
Choose Two-Way Switching
Select the required dimmers
Tap Next
Select the master dimmer
Name the automation
Tap Done

The master dimmer will automatically run through a calibration process. During calibration, the LED may flash green and white. Once calibration finishes and the light turns off, setup is complete.

Pairing the Dimmer to the App

Before setup:

Download the Lightwave Link Plus App (iOS or Android)
Ensure the Link Plus Hub is centrally positioned for best signal coverage

Pairing Mode

Press and hold both the top and bottom buttons for 5 seconds until the LED flashes red and blue.

Then:

Open the app
Tap the green +
Select Devices
Enter a device name
Put the dimmer into pairing mode
Tap Link

Once paired successfully, the LED flashes blue rapidly.

Calibration

Calibration ensures the dimmer operates correctly with connected lamps and optimises the dimming range.

Automatic Calibration

Starts automatically approximately 5 seconds after power-up
Primary channel calibrates automatically
LEDs may flash green and white during calibration

Manual Calibration

Recommended if:

Lamps flicker
Brightness behaves unpredictably
Lamps are partially incompatible

The dimming range can be manually adjusted within the app to improve stability.

Load Requirements & Compatibility

Supported Loads

LED lamps: 100W max
Incandescent: 200W max
Minimum load:
- 10W without neutral
- 5W with neutral

Important Notes

Only dimmable lighting should be connected
Not compatible with CFL lamps or electric motors
Non-dimmable loads require a relay or neutral connection
LED drivers must provide 24V output
Each additional wired dimmer increases minimum load requirements by 10W

Extra Features

Magic Buttons

Unused gangs on multi-gang dimmers can be used to:

Trigger scenes
Control automations
Activate smart devices

Available Automation Types

The Lightwave app also supports:

Timers
Schedules
If-Do automations
Groups
Scenes (“Do” automations)
Simulated occupancy
Multi-press triggers
Two-way switching automations

Troubleshooting

Flashing Red LED During Pairing

This indicates the device memory is full.

To clear memory:

Hold both top and bottom buttons until red flashing begins
Release both buttons
Hold the bottom button until rapid red flashing begins
Release and allow recalibration

The LED will flash green/white during reset and then return to solid red when ready to pair again.

Flickering Lights

Possible causes:

Incompatible lamps
Incorrect load
Calibration issues

Recommended fixes:

Use compatible dimmable lamps
Confirm load remains within limits
Re-run calibration in the app
Add a neutral where available

Green & Purple Flashing

This indicates auto-calibration failure.

Recommended checks:

Ensure minimum 10W load
Use dimmable bulbs only
Re-run calibration through the app

Still Need Support?

Phone: 0121 468 8987 (Option 2)
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