Replaced a 3 button swith and now no lights work ? Help !!

[christians]

Hi I recently tried changing a simple 3 button light switch.
I done this myself wityh regret. I have since got an electrician in and he cant seem to get it to work neither ?/

The 3 button switch is located when you walk in to my house, it operates the outside security light, my porch light and also light upstairs. He can get these to work BUT no other lights on my downstairs now work ? he said its the way it was wired originally. Its a new build and 12 years old. One of the wires has been clipped and goes in to two holes on the switch. He has spent 4 hours on this and I dont want him wasting any more time.

What voltage should this switch be ? ive seen 5 and 10 volt. Any ideas anyone. I have a photo of the original switch...

One switch operates a light at the top of the stairs but there is also a switch at the top of the stairs for the same light. This means its a 3 gang 2 way switch ? Thanks





Thanks

 

[Gutterball]

look at the wiring diagrams at the start of this forum. then turn the power off at the main switch in your consumer unit. then get your multimeter out and find where the switch wires go.
p.s. 4 hours? are you sure the guy was an electrician? an hour at the most.

 

[christians]

Thanks for the reply.

Im leaving it now..got another electrician coming round to hopefully fix it.
I have questionned myself about if he really is one. He fitted 8 new plug sockets in my kitchen - two were upside down.

 

[AndyPRK]

A picture showing the back box would be good, showing the cables in the wall.

Show us this clipped wire.

Will probably be a poor connection on the red wire looping around.

 

[christians]

The back left wire is clipped in the middle and runs from the back/top left in the hole and then on to the front 2nd to left.

I will take a picture of the back box and the wires coming in.
I know the 4 red iwres on the left are in one cable and the other 3 wires, red, blue and yellow are in another cable.

Does that help ?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[AndyPRK]

The back left wire is clipped in the middle and runs from the back/top left in the hole and then on to the front 2nd to left.

This is likely to be your fault then. A picture should confirm.

Is there enough wire to join them back together, with a screw terminal block or crimp?

 

[christians]

Is there enough wire to join them back together, with a screw terminal block or crimp?

There is not enough wire to link them back together. At present a small wire has been cut to link the two holes. Would this casue the lights on the ground floor not light up or is a small additional wire the same as one long wire ?

Thanks again.

 

[stillp]

What voltage should this switch be ? ive seen 5 and 10 volt.

It would normally be 240V! Is this switch on an automatic/intelligent lighting system?

 

[rjm2k]

Hope you didn't pay him for 4 hours work!

 

[christians]

Sorry I meant the switch 10A or 5amp not volts.

No I havent paid him but feel bad for him as hes achieved nothing for 4 hours.

Is this switch on an automatic/intelligent lighting system?
I dont know. I have a new build about 12 years old. Im unsure of the system. Sorry.

Thanks again.

 

[AndyPRK]

I think we need picture to explain this better

 

[christians]

What do you need a picture of ? My new switch ?

Do I need a 10 amp or 5amp switch ?

 

[Gutterball]

the clipped wire is probably linking the lives. feed in to 1 common then linked across to feed other circuits. was there another one that has fallen out?

 

[Gutterball]

pictures of old switch, new switch and wires.

red yellow blue upstairs 2 way. may or may not be fed from downstairs switch. look at upstairs switch to confirm.

 

[christians]

I didnt see any other wires fallen out ?

Do you think the common extra wired should be fed to the other 3 ?
originally it was not.

Whole thing is well annoying when something looks so simple. I will certinaly not be touching anything again and in future get a recommended electrician.