3-gang comaprison/change

[srj999]

Hi all,

First post on here and, with apologies for asking what many may have already posted, I have bought a Volex black chrome fronted 3-gang switch to replace the existing Tenby unit. Naturally, the labelling and connections are entirely different in both switches, leaving me suitably lost. Other than unscrewing the original plate from the wall, I've not touched any wiring.

Where the existing Tenby unit has five connections, labelled 3-2-1-3-2, across the top and four connections, 1-3-2-1, on the bottom, the Volex unit has four at the top, L-L1-L2-L and five at the bottom, L1-L2-L-L1-L2. There is also the earth connection on the Volex unit. As it has a metal surround, I presume I should connect this to the main earthing point in the plaster depth box.

Photos attached.

Can anyone please point out which I should connect to which? Thanks.

Steve

Tenby 3-gang

• srj999
• 15 Mar 2015
• 1

How the current Tenby switch is wired.

Volex 3-gang

• srj999
• 15 Mar 2015
• 1

The intended replacement for the Tenby unit: a Volex black chrome switch.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Turn one upside down.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But before you remove the old one - there are earth conductors in all of the cables, yes?

They must be connected to the earth terminal on the new switch plate.

 

[deadshort]

Turn one upside down.

Well done that man ! Short and sweet and then over to Bas

DS

 

[srj999]

D'oh! So; simply switch (sic), then pop the new fella in.

But before you remove the old one - there are earth conductors in all of the cables, yes?

They must be connected to the earth terminal on the new switch plate.

I can see no earth connections on the (plastic) Tenby unit. I presumed I would simply connect an earth cable from the srew plate on the switch into the depth box connection. Not right?

 

[sparkwright]

Where the existing Tenby unit has five connections, labelled 3-2-1-3-2, across the top and four connections, 1-3-2-1, on the bottom, the Volex unit has four at the top, L-L1-L2-L and five at the bottom, L1-L2-L-L1-L2.

Never mind all that rubbish.

Meaningless.

All you need to know is that each individual switch on the old plate has three terminals each - 1, 2 and 3.

And each individual switch on the new plate has three terminals again - only marked differently - L, L1 and L2.

So;
1 = L
2 = L1
3 = L2.

Observe on the backs of the switch plates how it's sectioned off to show that each individual switch has three terminals.

 

[JohnW2]

You won't be using the L2s.

... except for the middle switch, for which the OP can simply use the "2 = L1
3 = L2".

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

You won't be using the L2s.

... except for the middle switch, for which the OP can simply use the "2 = L1
3 = L2".

Kind Regards, John

Already spotted that and removed it from earlier post.

You're on the ball tonight I see.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I can see no earth connections on the (plastic) Tenby unit. I presumed I would simply connect an earth cable from the srew plate on the switch into the depth box connection.

there are earth conductors in all of the cables, yes?

 

[JohnW2]

I can see no earth connections on the (plastic) Tenby unit. I presumed I would simply connect an earth cable from the srew plate on the switch into the depth box connection. Not right?

To expand on BAS's quotes .... do we take it that each of the cables have an earth which is connected to a terminal in the back box?

Kind Regards, John