2 Gang 2 Way Light Switch Problems

[NicW]

Hi there,

I am hoping that someone might be able to help out with a common problem that seems to pop up a lot on this forum, however, I have not been able to find an answer to at the moment.

I have a 2 gang 2 Way Light Switch at the bottom of my stairs which drives the downstairs hall light and an upstairs landing light. One of the switches should control the downstairs light only and the other will control the on/off of the landing light from either the downstairs or landing switch. I have them currently wired up as per the attached picture.

Untitled

• NicW
• 27 Apr 2014
• 1

The three grouped wires on the right hand side (red to common, yellow to L1, blue to L2) allow the upstairs light to be switched on and off successfully from both the downstairs switch and the upstairs switch.

On the left hand side I have the two grouped wires (Red to L1 and Black to L2), which I am assuming will drive the downstairs light. Unfortunately, it does not switch on or off, i.e. light remains off.

Where am I going wrong?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[AndyPRK]

For the downstairs light you should use terminals
Com red
L1 black

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I am hoping that someone might be able to help out with a common problem that seems to pop up a lot on this forum

The problem pops up at the home where the person removing/replacing switches does not note down and mark up how the switch was wired before their intervention

however, I have not been able to find an answer to at the moment.

It will be somewhere, possible here //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Single-way-lighting (note click on non harmonised colours for old versions of core colours)

On the left hand side I have the two grouped wires (Red to L1 and Black to L2), which I am assuming will drive the downstairs light. Unfortunately, it does not switch on or off, i.e. light remains off.

It has no way of creating a closed circuit with the conductors in L1 and L2

Where am I going wrong?

The permanent live possible the red goes to Com
The switch live possible the black (that should also be be sleeved red) to L1.
If the switch operates upside down, swap the conductors around so red com and black L2. Now need drink!

 

[AndyPRK]

The permanent live possible the red goes to com
The switch live possible the black(that should also be be sleeved red) to L1.
If the switch operates upside down, swap the conductors around so red L1 and black Com.

Been on the bottle?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Been on the bottle?

I wish, I tink dislexya as kirked in.

 

[AndyPRK]

Been on the bottle?

I wish, I tink dislexya as kirked in.

It wasn't the typing I was talking about !

 

[sparkwright]

If the switch operates upside down, swap the conductors around so red L1 and black Com.

No, no, no!

You mean keep the red in com,
and
take the black out of L1
and
put in L2 instead.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You mean keep the red in com,
and
take the black out of L1
and
put in L2 instead.

Indeed I did, time for Guinness!

 

[NicW]

Thanks folks.

The advice has certainly done the trick and I now have a hall and landing light switch working as expected.

 

[sparkwright]

Further advice would be to get some green and yellow sleeving over those bare earth wires.

Sleeving available from any electrical wholesaler, most large DIY shops and Wilko.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

http://www.wickes.co.uk/PVC-Earth-Sleeving-Green-Yellow/p/710807