2 gang 2 way switch trouble

[busydad]

Hello,

I’m current replacing the 1 and 2 gang switches at home with new faceplates.

I’ve come to replace the last one (floor 1 hall hallway) and had some problems. As I took the old switch off two wires were loose. One of the L2 blocks had the connector screw fall out as I removed it (starred in the pic) it looked like the wire came out of there.

I’ve rewired the original plate back as it looked to be (see attached).

The floor 1 light works fine (controlled from this switch and downstairs). However the floor 2 light doesn’t work from this switch and only works from the floor 2 switch if this switch is in the on position. I tried moving cable from the L2 starred position to join the other L2 red terminal but didn’t work either.

Before I call time and call an electrician is there something very obvious I can try?

Thanks

 

[boringoldcodger]

I'm a DIYer, not a sparky.

As I took the old switch off two wires were loose.

Which 2 wires? the Red which is now in L2* and which other?

I'd be tempted to swap round the 2 Reds which are in the Floor 2 Light switch.

Do the new switches have metal faceplates? If so, you must make sure they're earthed (preferably direct from an incoming cable and then have a short flylead from the faceplate to the earth terminal in the backbox).

 

[busydad]

I'm a DIYer, not a sparky.


Which 2 wires? the Red which is now in L2* and which other?

I'd be tempted to swap round the 2 Reds which are in the Floor 2 Light switch.

Do the new switches have metal faceplates? If so, you must make sure they're earthed (preferably direct from an incoming cable and then have a short flylead from the faceplate to the earth terminal in the backbox).

Thanks. The two loose wires were both reds which are in the L1s, the Red that is in the COM was definitely in there before, which is why im confused.

Yes very good point re earthing. Will make sure this is done if manage to get it sorted and swapped (original plastic faceplate is back on currently)

 

[terryplumb]

Just to clarify ,when you released the switch from the mounting box, 2 red wires were loose. You then removed all other wires from their terminals. Is that all correct ?
If so ,did you label all the wires so you could put them back into their respective terminals ?
It would appear that you have not ,and have mixed up the original connections .

 

[trojanhawrs]

It's confusing the way you're writing this as if it's one switch - I'm assuming from your description this is a 2 gang 2 way faceplate. If the problem you're having is with the right side switch, try swapping the 2 black cores.
If the left side switch is working correctly then don't touch it. These are 2 separate switches.

 

[SUNRAY]

Hello,

I’m current replacing the 1 and 2 gang switches at home with new faceplates.

I’ve come to replace the last one (floor 1 hall hallway) and had some problems. As I took the old switch off two wires were loose. One of the L2 blocks had the connector screw fall out as I removed it (starred in the pic) it looked like the wire came out of there.

I’ve rewired the original plate back as it looked to be (see attached).

The floor 1 light works fine (controlled from this switch and downstairs). However the floor 2 light doesn’t work from this switch and only works from the floor 2 switch if this switch is in the on position.

This may seem like a silly question but did floor 2 light work properly immediately before you removed this switch?

Reason I'm asking is have you changed the other floor 2 switch and did you check it worked before starting on this (the last) switch?

I tried moving cable from the L2 starred position to join the other L2 red terminal but didn’t work either.

Before I call time and call an electrician is there something very obvious I can try?

Thanks

 

[busydad]

Hello thanks all, yes floor 2 switch was working fine before and I’m certain all the other wires are back where they started, it’s just the two loose reds but I’ve tried them in the L1s in different combinations but nothing works. Obviously the circuit is being broken to floor 2 light when middle floor switch is off, so swopping COM and L1 wires seems to be only option? Just not sure how/why as I’m always careful checking/arranging cables when removing a face plate and it’s the first time I’ve ever had any issues. I’ve obviously done something wrong this time

 

[terryplumb]

Try it ,and let us know the result.

 

[busydad]

Just tried swapping the L2 red and COM red and it stopped the floor 2 light working altogether, swapped them back now, at this point not sure if there’s anything else I can try? May be time to accept defeat and call an electrician

 

[trojanhawrs]

You could try reading my previous comment

 

[terryplumb]

It's the switch on the left side of the diagram that is not working as it should as I understand it ?

 

[busydad]

You could try reading my previous comment

Thanks, the right switch with black core in COM is working fine, it’s the left switch which controls floor 2 which is causing the issue, I’ve attached a (poor) photo but it’s the left side which is the issue (COM is at top)

 

[SUNRAY]

As a test: With the power off - Try putting all 3 wires for that floor 2 switch into one terminal, in other words connect all 3 together, with the power on operating the other floor 2 switch SHOULD make the light stay on regardless of the position, you may notice the light flicker as you operate the other floor 2 switch.

 

[busydad]

It's the switch on the left side of the diagram that is not working as it should as I understand it ?

Yes that’s right

 

[trojanhawrs]

It's the switch on the left side of the diagram that is not working as it should as I understand it ?

Ah, my mistake. In that case have you tried black in the common?