Swapping light switches - help!

[christianbarber]

Hi,

I am looking to swap our existing light switches with more modern ones.

Started with a 1 gang, 2 way switch. The existing only had 4 wires into the site has unit itself. 2 red together and 1 red and yellow in the other. The layout on the new switch is different (to me anyway). I am no expert but have done with in other rooms before without issue.

I attach an image with the original switch and the housing along with the new one. Please can you point me in the right direction. Which colours go in which connector. L,L1 and L2.

Thanks in advance.

Christian.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Use L & L1 - doesn't matter which way round - and you must earth the new switch.

http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_switchtypes.cs4
http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_switcharrangements.cs4

 

[sparkwright]

If it should turn out the new switch happens to work upside down, then use L and L2, again either way round will do.

 

[EFLImpudence]

If it should turn out the new switch happens to work upside down, then use L and L2, again either way round will do.

Or turn the switch round.

 

[christianbarber]

Great thanks. Just so I'm getting this right. The two red in L and the red/yellow pair in L2? Thank you!!

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yup.


(Edit - missed reference to L2 )

 

[Iggifer]

Great thanks. Just so I'm getting this right. The two red in L and the red/yellow pair in L2? Thank you!!

Yup

 

[EFLImpudence]

Snap

 

[christianbarber]

Perfect thanks all, will give it a go now and let you know how I get on

 

[sparkwright]

NO.

L and L1.

Only L and L2 in the unlikely event the switch works upside down.

And don't forget to provide an earth link to the new faceplate.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Bugger - missed that.

 

[christianbarber]

Cheers all, worked a treat. Now to get the bloody front plate on. Why do they make it so hard.

 

[sparkwright]

And you earthed all ok?

 

[christianbarber]

Think so, earth uses the screw which has that copper loop back to the casing which is then earthed

 

[sparkwright]

Not quite sure what you mean;

There are at least three acceptable ways of doing this.
1) Take earth wires out of back box terminal, put into faceplate terminal, and add a link faceplate from faplate to back box. (preferred)
2) Add a link of wire from back box terminal to faceplate, leaving existing earth wires in same place.
3) Remove all earth wires from back box and put in faceplate terminal. Back box only earthed when faceplate cover screws are in place. (least preferred option but acceptable)