2 Gang 2 Way /3 Gang 2 Way Light Switch Replacement

[sperrya]

Hi there, I am just wondering if any of you can help me with the replacement of my light switches. I have 2 switches to replace and the wiring inside the switch being removed is different from the new switch I wish to install.

2 Gang 2 Way
In the old switch it refers to A, B1, B2, A1, A2 and B. In the new switch it instead refers to L, L1 and L2 for which there are two of these.

2 Gang 3 Way
In the old switch it refers to A1, A2, B Com, C1, C2, A Com, B1 B2 and C Com. In the new switch it instead refers to L, L1 and L2 for which there are three of these.

Is anyone able to help advise me which wires go into which from the old to the new?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sparkwright]

You need to study the switches carefully, and realise each individual switch consists of three terminals.

Where you have listed letters, the same letter is for each separate switch.

For example, one individual switch may consist of A, A1 and A2.

Or another make, one individual switch may consist of A common, A1 and A2.

Or another make, L1, L2 and L3.

On the 2 gang
A = L
A1 = L1
A2 = L2

On the 3 gang
A com = L
A1 = L1
A2 = L2

Similar code for the 'B's and 'C's.

 

[dingodeano]

A = L
A1 = L1
A2 = L2

A com = L
A1 = L1
A2 = L2

B com = L
......Ect

Look at switch terminals here //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:two_way_lighting
Just get your head around how
Your new ones are marked.

 

[dingodeano]

Go to bed sparkwright.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Plan B:

1. Actually learn how switches work, what they do, how lighting circuits are wired, what happens inside a switch in relation to its various terminals when you flip the rocker one way and another.
   
2. Use your multimeter (an absolutely essential tool, without which you should do nothing) to identify which terminals are which.
   
3. Replace your switches on the basis of having a full and genuine understanding of what's going on, not on the basis of following instructions to insert-this-wire-in-that-hole without knowing why.
   
   

 

[sperrya]

Thank you sparkwright and dingodeano for your considered response/help on this. I just needed confirmation I was wiring to correct terminals from old style lettering.

Ban-all-sheds, rather condescending response I think! For a simple job such as replacement light sockets, I don't think it is necessary to undertake an electrical course and expedite myself as a professional. I would rather leave that to you. This was a straightforward job which required some very simple guidance/reassurance.

Thanks to you all for taking time out to post a reply to my original query.

Good day.

 

[Taylortwocities]

What is a light socket? Surely that is what you PLUG the lamp into?
I think you you mean light SWITCH?

Maybe you do need BAS's learning materials!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ban-all-sheds, rather condescending response I think!

Then your thinking is faulty.

It was not in the slightest bit condescending - it was perfectly sound and utterly appropriate advice.

Nobody should do any electrical work without a full and genuine understanding.

For a simple job such as replacement light sockets, I don't think it is necessary to undertake an electrical course and expedite myself as a professional.

To do that job it is absolutely essential to know what switches do, and how they are used in lighting circuits.

This was a straightforward job which required some very simple guidance/reassurance.

It clearly wasn't straightforward for you, though, was it?

And you got the guidance you needed:

1. Actually learn how switches work, what they do, how lighting circuits are wired, what happens inside a switch in relation to its various terminals when you flip the rocker one way and another.
   
2. Use your multimeter (an absolutely essential tool, without which you should do nothing) to identify which terminals are which.
   
3. Replace your switches on the basis of having a full and genuine understanding of what's going on, not on the basis of following instructions to insert-this-wire-in-that-hole without knowing why.
   
   

 

[RF Lighting]

Yawn

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Time for your bed?

 

[RF Lighting]

No, just time to change the broken record.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The one that says I believe people should understand the things they wish to fiddle with?

I'll give you an update - it isn't broken.

If you think it's OK for people to fiddle with things when they don't understand what they are doing then it is your thinking which is broken.