2 Way Dimmer Problem

[Collie]

I need help, I have a switch with two dimmer buttons on it, one for the main light in my living room and one for the wall lights and it needs replacing, so I bought a new switch and when I went to change it there's more holes for wires in the new switch than in the old.

I have 2 red wires, 1 black wire and one earth wire, but the new switch has 2 L2 holes, 2 L1 holes and 2 C holes. Could you please offer some assistance as to which wire goes where as I am confused.

Thank you.

 

[breezer]

how is the existing switch wired?

 

[bothyhead]

What way was the old switch wired up? Also is the switch metal or plastic (and the same with the mounting box)?

 

[Collie]

Thank you for replying.

It's a plastic switch in a metal mounting box with 2 red wires going into the bottom with another red wire linking the bottom to the top of the switch and the black wire comes out of the top. I couldn't see any visible markings for what they holes were called.

The old switch is just one big black unit on the back where as the new switch has two separate black units next to each other, have I bought the wrong kind of switch?

Sorry I'm not very technical.

 

[Spark123]

Try this:
Firstly make sure power is off.
The mark the red wire which had the loop in with a piece of tape to identify it (this is the supply wire).
Disconnect the old switch.

Connect the new switch:
Supply wire to C and loop a piece of wire to the other C.
Black to L1 on one switch.
The other red to L1 on the other switch.

 

[bothyhead]

The metal mounting box may have a small brass terminal on it - if so connect the earth wire to it.