Well i shouldn't of messed but i did, the back of the switch is different from the old switch so can anyone advise me on what wires to where please...
Wiring 2 way switch help
- Thread starter Jason-m
- Start date
Not without knowing where they were connected on the old switch. If you didn't make a note then you've got a choice of Plan A or Plan B:
PLAN A:
BTW, there aren't enough conductors there for a 2-gang 2-way switch. And what's happened to the earth core in the red/black cable?
PLAN A:
- Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
- Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
- Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
- Check for voltage present, circuit continuity, switches working etc.
- Connect everything up properly.
- Get an electrician.
BTW, there aren't enough conductors there for a 2-gang 2-way switch. And what's happened to the earth core in the red/black cable?
*You have two gang switch.
* One set of twin reds and earth.
*One twin red & blacks and no earth (check in grey sheath to see if it has been cut or broken off) If so it needs bringing back in to functionality.
* Red link cable.
Ideally you need a two pole voltage indicator to test which conductor is permanently live. This would be tested between earth/CPC.
Once you have identified perm live, I would assume that the perm live is installed in the com of one gang with the link also slotted in on that com.
The spare conductor from the twins would go L1 of the same gang.
Then the open end of the link should be placed in to com of the second gang with a red conductor of the second set of twin cables, and the second conductor of that twin fitted in at L1 of that gang.
This is assuming the two sets of cables switches two individual light sets.
* One set of twin reds and earth.
*One twin red & blacks and no earth (check in grey sheath to see if it has been cut or broken off) If so it needs bringing back in to functionality.
* Red link cable.
Ideally you need a two pole voltage indicator to test which conductor is permanently live. This would be tested between earth/CPC.
Once you have identified perm live, I would assume that the perm live is installed in the com of one gang with the link also slotted in on that com.
The spare conductor from the twins would go L1 of the same gang.
Then the open end of the link should be placed in to com of the second gang with a red conductor of the second set of twin cables, and the second conductor of that twin fitted in at L1 of that gang.
This is assuming the two sets of cables switches two individual light sets.
or
get a neon screw driver or multimeter and work out which wire is live.
Stick it in the COM terminal.
Stick the linking wire between the COM terminals.
I guess it could be the red wire from the red/black cable.
Stick the black wire into L1.
On the other side of the switch, put one red wire into L1 and the other red wire into L2.
All a bit of a guess !
get a neon screw driver or multimeter and work out which wire is live.
Stick it in the COM terminal.
Stick the linking wire between the COM terminals.
I guess it could be the red wire from the red/black cable.
Stick the black wire into L1.
On the other side of the switch, put one red wire into L1 and the other red wire into L2.
All a bit of a guess !
I would guess it would be one of the twin reds. 
But it's a 33 percenter!
If one gang is a two way, check the cables at the other switch as that should offer some clues.
But it's a 33 percenter!
If one gang is a two way, check the cables at the other switch as that should offer some clues.
One of the twins (say the twin red, but who knows) could be a set of strappers. But then again who knows.
You probably right PBoD
Using the red/black cable to identify the live cable would be sensible, but that's probably what hasn't been done! Instead using red/red to identify the wiring at the rose
Using the red/black cable to identify the live cable would be sensible, but that's probably what hasn't been done! Instead using red/red to identify the wiring at the rose
It's all guesswork, without the vital information and not being there. You cannot even rule out the earth being used as a live conductor 
Managed to find the permanent live and join it over to the other com, i have tried several combinations for the others and can get the hall light on but no the landing...anymore pointers as to where to put the other wires..
Everyone is speculating - but it could be providing the live feed for one of the switches (hence lights) from the live of the other.
Kind Regards, John
It is likely one side of the gang has no perm live, so a link is required to provide it.
What combo makes the hall work?
Please stop trying to make this work by trial and error, hoping to guess lucky and hit on the right combination.
Either learn how lighting circuits are wired and with a multimeter and physical tracing identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions, and connect it up properly, or get an electrician.
Wiring by guesswork is a dumb idea.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
