2 Lights, double switch to 2 lights single switch

[samgoffe]

I have 2 lights going to a double switched box.

I want to be able to turn both of them on, with just a single switch.

The new switch has L1, L2 and common.

I have 5 cables comming in, 2 sets of black and red, the blacks twisted together. the 5th cable is a seprate cable into the back box.

How do i wire it ?

 

[securespark]

Post a photo, please.

 

[Spark123]

Are both the supplies fed from the same fuse in the CU?

 

[samgoffe]

hello, heres the pictures

http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp01302hq.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp01322dy.jpg

 

[Adam_151]

You can see that one of the red wires goes to two connections on your existing switch, via a jumper wire, you want to connect this wire to common on your new switch, you want to connect the other two red wires to L1 on the new switch. You can chuck the jumper wire in the bin.

Might be worth re-doing the connection between the two blacks, cut them back and use a terminal block in place of the 'screw-it'

If your new switch is metal make sure it is gets connected to earth

 

[samgoffe]

ok, ive just done what you said.

what is the red that comes in on its own?

Its a metal switch, but theres no earth cable!

Can i just use the jumper wire to screw into the back box?

 

[Spark123]

NO NO NO.

If there is no earth you can't use a metal switch. You cannot link to the back box as it will cause it to go live.

 

[Adam_151]

what is the red that comes in on its own?

Switched live out to one of the lights, which was quite probably a later addition to the circuit

Its a metal switch, but theres no earth cable!

Thats a bad thing ™

Can i just use the jumper wire to screw into the back box?

No, for a start its totally the wrong colour, and more critically you can't pick up an earth from a backbox unless it has an earth itself, and if there are no earth cables there, then it won't be earthed unless its earthed through metal conduit (which I very much doubt is the case).

You have two options,

1) have your lighting circuit rewired
2) use plastic switches held on with nylon screws

Sorry to be the bringer of bad luck, but that is just the way it is

 

[samgoffe]

ok, so im going to have to use a plastic box.

Thanks for the help guys!!! will let you know what happens!

++++++++++++++++++++++

just to let you know,

just wired in a plastic switch and it works!!

Again, many thanks for the help.

sam

 

[securespark]

Surely he's OK with a plastic switch and metal screws because of the plastic lugs in the box?

 

[samgoffe]

Surely he's OK with a plastic switch and metal screws because of the plastic lugs in the box?

I hope this is ok, it does mean i cant touch the screws!