2 way switch blunder

[editsys]

I have a 3 bulb ceiling fitting, controlled by a 2 way settup with one of the switches being a dimmer.

The last of the 3 incandescent bulbs blew so I decided to replace them with energy savers. I'd need to remove the dimmer.

I took the dimmer switch off, realised I didn't have a suitable switch, went to get one and by the time I got back I had forgotten which wire went where.

Normally I would take a photo before taking apart, but like a true muppet, I forgot on this occasion

So now I am left with 2 red wires and 1 yellow wire, which doesn't seem to match up with any diagram I've seen.

Can anyone help please?

 

[plugwash]

What is the wiring like at the other switch and at the light fitting?
Do these wires like they are part of one or more cables or do they seem to leave the box as individual wires?
Are you sure the red is the true color of the core and not a sleeve placed over it?

 

[editsys]

Thanks for taking a look.

Have taken some photos - should have done so before I started

This shows where dimmer was removed

Untitled

• editsys
• 5 Oct 2012
• 1

Appears to be red, yellow & blue in one,
red & black in the other.
Red is the true colour of both reds

This shows second switch

Untitled

• editsys
• 5 Oct 2012
• 1

Appears to be red, yellow & blue in one,
red & black in the other.
Red is the true colour of both reds,
yellow is taped red.

Hope this makes things clearer.

 

[RF Lighting]

The red coming from the twin and earth is common or com or c

The red coming from the 3 core and earth is L1
The yellow which should be fitted with a bit of red sleeve is L2

If you switch is labelled 1, 2, 3 then

1 = Common
2 = L1
3 = L2

 

[editsys]

All fixed. Thanks.

 

[ericmark]

There are a few methods to wire a two way switch but the most common each wire goes into the same hole in each switch. The com or if no com L1 is the important one as long as that one is in correct hole it will work. So worse case only will take three attempts to get correct.

 

[editsys]

Sorted it. Thanks for all your help. Very much appreciated.

Mark.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Plan B - get a multimeter and use it to identify which conductors are which rather than just trying different combinations until you hit on the right one...

 

[editsys]

Very true but multimeter 20 mile round trip away

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Sorted it. Thanks for all your help. Very much appreciated.
Mark.

Be nice to know what combination was needed to have your two way function back in operation?

 

[editsys]

RF Lighting's solution was spot on.

(I had problems elsewhere that prevented it working 1st time)

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

RF Lighting's solution was spot on.

(I had problems elsewhere that prevented it working 1st time)

Good to know it's sorted and a member was helpful.
Maybe it would be a good idea, to edit your post in response to RFL's advice, as it indicates that that was not a successful fix?