2 switches 1 light confusion

[kainechris83]

I have tried to change the switches in my hallway as we have just redecorated, the new ones were slightly different to the old ones on the inside. i cannot seem to get them to behave and be in sink with each other , could anybody help

1st pic is the double switch for hall light and outside light
2nd pic is single switch for the hall light
3rd pic is the wiring for the single switch
4th pic is the wiring for the double switch, i know the ones on the right are for outside light as it works
5th pic is a bridge that came off the old socket, it was running from l1 to l1 on the previous old socket

13120619_10156838437785471_1028129626_o (1)

• kainechris83
• 29 Apr 2016

double switch ( one is for outside light)

13120464_10156838442480471_1050471564_o

• kainechris83
• 29 Apr 2016

single switch

13113176_10156838442355471_897102980_o

• kainechris83
• 29 Apr 2016

wiring for single switch

13112445_10156838432155471_961224227_o

• kainechris83
• 29 Apr 2016

wiring for double switch ( to the right is outside light that seems to work fine)

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• kainechris83
• 29 Apr 2016

this bridge came off the old double switch

 

[bhm1712]

Can you explain what is or isn't working as it was before?

The bridge or "link" will need to be wired up if it was wired up before.

 

[kainechris83]

outside light is working fine with red to L1 and black to com , i have tried a couple of combinations with the other switches, the best i could get was it working turning on and off but the single switch pic 2 and 3 had to be in the switched-on position for this to happen, i would put the old switches back on but i chucked them yesterday

 

[kainechris83]

have i bought incorrect switches maybe

 

[winston1]

have i bought incorrect switches maybe

No. What you did wrong was not taking a photo of the old switches before disconnecting them.

Study the wiki or call an electrician. Guessing with 240volts is dangerous.

 

[bhm1712]

I can't guarantee this as I'm not there to test but it sounds like on the single switch (assuming this is where the live feed enters the switching circuit) has a wire mixed up between common and L1 or L2.

This would create the situation where it has to be in a fixed position in order for the lamp to turn on and off using the other switch.

 

[bhm1712]

Like this

 

[Taylortwocities]

Like this

Brilliant! How does he work out which wire is which?
He has a 2-gang switch, where is that on your drawing?

 

[bhm1712]

Sorry I'm thinking my way - separating it out onto the single circuits. It would appear the outside lamp is working fine and so therefore is not part of the problem.

 

[bhm1712]

Unless of course the live feed to the hallway lighting is coming from the outside light live via the "bridge" wire.

 

[bhm1712]

Brilliant! How does he work out which wire is which?
He has a 2-gang switch, where is that on your drawing?

Same way as we would work out which wire is which...testing it out. If not capable then as winston has said ....time for pro.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, but even more confusion there.
If the bridge is to go from COM to COM, then he needs to swap over the red and black wires on the outside light switch.
So red goes in COM, black on L1.

 

[bhm1712]

He does say the bridge went from L1 to L1 on the old switches which I am dubious about.

 

[bhm1712]

You thinking like this TaylorTwoCities?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, its a possibility!