Wiring for two gang two way switch

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26 Apr 2010
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Cleveland
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The light in my hall and the light on my landing are both operated by a double switch in the hallway and the same on the landing so that both switches can be worked from both downstairs and upstairs as well. One of the switches on the two way gang upstairs has stopped working so I've bought a replacement but when I've taken the old one off and made a mental note of which wires went where, it seems that two live wires (old red colour) go to L1 and two black wires go to L2 and now I'm questioning myself as to whether I noted them correctly in my head. Can anyone confirm that what I noted to myself sounds ok. It's just that I should have thought that L1 and L2 would both have a red and a black going to them. Thanks.
 
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Impossible to say for certain without seeing how it was wired at each end. Could you perhaps post pictures of both sets of switches showing the connections?
 
Sorry, I'm not techy enough to post pictures but, although I'm pretty certain that I clocked where the wires went as I disconnected them I just need confirmation that I haven't made a mistake. Is it at least possible that two reds could be connected to L1 and two blacks to L2 because I'm pretty sure that's how it was. It's just not what I would have expected.
 
Sorry, I'm not techy enough for putting pictures up but perhaps I should have added that:

1. Red L1 and Black L2 (both connected at top of switch) both go to the same sleeve
2. Red Common and Black Common both go to the same sleeve
3. And, as with 1., Red L1 and Black L2 (both connected at bottom of switch) both go to the same sleeve
 
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It could be like that but, as said, not possible to tell from here.

Plus - if you have mixed up the 'sleeves' it will be no good.

Bear in mind that one switch is Com at top with L1 & L2 at bottom
and the other is L1 & L2 at top with Com at bottom.
 
Thanks for that. That's good enough - I think I noted them correctly in my head so I'll give that a try.

I had been under the impression that L1 referred to one light and L2 to the other but I don't think it's like that, is it? So, for example, on the new double switch I've bought each switch is in its own 'housing' (not sure what the correct term is) and both have the COM connection at the top and the L1 and L2 connections at the bottom, so the switch for each light has a COM connector, an L1 connector and an L2 connector. On that basis, what I was puzzled about previously i.e. each L1 having a red wire connected and each L2 having a black wire connected is no longer a puzzle. Hope all that makes sense.
 
How are the the cables terminated at the second two way switch, the one which has not been replaced?
You really now need some approved test equipment, to competently and safely carry out this work.
 
How are the the cables terminated at the second two way switch, the one which has not been replaced?
You really now need some approved test equipment, to competently and safely carry out this work.

I haven't taken the other switch off but I've done the job now and it seems fine. Thanks anyway.
 

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