Hi all. I think I may have wired something wrong...any help?

bazking69 · 9 Dec 2006

Ok dokey
Well, I decided to put some new switches in the hall and landing as it has just been decorated.
I have put in 3 single power sockets, and 2 twin light switches, one upstairs, one downstairs.
The problem I have is that it all works, except that the downstairs light is on when the upstairs switch is off. You are also unable to turn the downstairs light off at the switch downstairs when this is on. However, turn it 'off' upstairs and it works fine upstairs and downstairs.
I guess this is just a simple wire in the wrong place, but I cant see where. I'm sure I rewired everything as it was on the old switch I took off.
The switches have the following wires going to each switch as you look at it from the front:

Downstairs:

Yellow Blue Red

Red Red+Yellow Blue+Black

Upstairs:

Blue Yellow Red

Red Red+Yellow Black+Blue

Anyone point out the blindingly obvious of where an total amateur is going wrong lol?
Cheers in advance

markthebuilder · 9 Dec 2006

read the sticky it will reveal all

breezer · 9 Dec 2006

agree with above, colours "mean nothing" it depends on how it was wired, some prefer to have yellow in common, some prefer red, so as i said, depends how it was wired.

you need to identify what does what

tip both top and bottom 2 way should be the same (with resepct to the core)

bazking69 · 9 Dec 2006

This is what I'm after, except I have two on off switches on each switch, one for upstairs light and one for downstairs, ie 6 connections on the switch.
Anyone point me in the right diorection?
Cheers

Spark123 · 9 Dec 2006

Can you post a picture of the wires in the backs of the switches? Also, the wires will be from different cables, can you please advise which wire from which cable goes where?
At a guess you have two 3c+e wires and a 2c+e in each, the 3c+e are most probably the strappers and connect as in the picture above. The 2c+e are most probably the switch wires and go between L1&L2 as in the picture above.
You will also need to identify which strapper wire is which at both ends as to not cross them over.

bazking69 · 9 Dec 2006

Here are some pics

This is the twin switch downstairs:

And the upstairs

Hope this helps
Cheers
Baz

breezer · 9 Dec 2006

is that waht you did?

look again at what you have done and compare it wuth the "pictures" (drawing's) you linked to

looked, good!

now look again, start with the black and blue in the same terminal

not in the same terminal as the drawing is it! (well its not in the bottom picture)

Spark123 · 9 Dec 2006

Also you do not appear to have the red strappers all in L1, yellow strappers in L2 and Blue strappers in L3. The red, yellow and blue from one cable will connect to one switch, the RYB from the other cable to the other switch.
The switches are arranged in a triangle, the L1 at the top corresponds with the L2 and L3 below it, vice versa for the other switch.
The red and black switch wires should be in the L2 and L3 terminals.
You also need to identify which strapper cable is which as to not interconnect the two lights at the top and bottom. Are they both on the same circuit?

Steve · 9 Dec 2006

bazking69, look at the diagram you posted. The first one with 2 switches. Now imagine 2 of them sidebyside. Now turn one of the diagrams upside down. There's your diagram.

bazking69 · 10 Dec 2006

Sorry guys, still none the wiser.
My father in law is an electrician and is coming over tomorrow to sort it. Probably a 2 second job for someone who knows what they are doing, unlike me.
I think I may leave even the simple jobs to him, I guess electrics just aint my thing!!
Cheers for your help anyway.
Baz

ricicle · 10 Dec 2006

Don't twist solid cables together......

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Hi all. I think I may have wired something wrong...any help?

breezer

breezer

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