Changing 2 gang, 2 way switch

[dowzer]

I am changing some switches in our house and am struggling with a 2 gang, 2 way switch which has loads of wires all of which are red and the new switch is laid out 'differently' so I don't want to screw something up.

The current switch has 2 x L1, 2 x L2 and 2 x L3.

L1a has a red with yellow sleeve, L1b has red.
L2a has red, L2b has a red and a blue with a red sleeve.
L3a has nothing, L3b has three red.

The new switch has 2 x L1, 2 x L2 and 2 x L - any idea how I should connect the new switch?

Thanks
Jason

 

[riveralt]

For each gang
New switch L = old switch L1
New switch L1 = old switch L2
New switch L2 = old switch L3


Make sure you put some marks on the cables so you ensure you swop the right cables to the right terminals.
Nice to see sleeves on the switch lives

 

[dowzer]

For each gang
New switch L = old switch L1
New switch L1 = old switch L2
New switch L2 = old switch L3


Make sure you put some marks on the cables so you ensure you swop the right cables to the right terminals.
Nice to see sleeves on the switch lives

Generally, does it matter which goes left and which goes right on the new switch? On the current switch there is only one L3 (bottom) with wires inserted so do they go into L2 left or L2 right?

 

[riveralt]

Generally, does it matter which goes left and which goes right on the new switch? On the current switch there is only one L3 (bottom) with wires inserted so do they go into L2 left or L2 right?

For one way switches, not really - but for two way yes.
Two way wiring will comprise of Live and SL and in your case three strappers (red/blue and yellow).
The strappers must match the terminals in each of the two switches otherwise they will not work.
Also you can see that for the rear of the new switch each gang is a triangle with one terminal at the top and two at the bottom.
On the old switch it is the same but one of the gangs triangle is upside down - you must match that upside down triangle with the right way up triangle in the new switch.

So in your case you MUST make sure for the new switch you match up the conductors in exactly the same terminals as in the old switch - otherwise you will be coming back here to tell us it won't work and we will be saying, Do you have a multi-meter

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I am changing some switches in our house and am struggling with a 2 gang, 2 way switch which has loads of wires all of which are red and the new switch is laid out 'differently' so I don't want to screw something up.

The current switch has 2 x L1, 2 x L2 and 2 x L3.

L1a has a red with yellow sleeve, L1b has red.
L2a has red, L2b has a red and a blue with a red sleeve.
L3a has nothing, L3b has three red.

The new switch has 2 x L1, 2 x L2 and 2 x L - any idea how I should connect the new switch?

• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:single-way-lighting#switch-terminal-markings
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:twogang
  
  
  

 

[TicklyT]

The grouping of the terminals of the old switch is NOT top & bottom, as your post suggests. It is left and right.

Note the raised diagonal line moulded in the plastic on the back of the old switch. That is the division between the left and right switch units. Each half has three terminals arranged in a triangle, with one triangle inverted.

The division is more obvious on your new switch, and both sets of terminals are the same way up.

So:-

left hand L = old L1a
left hand L1 = old L2b
left hand L2 = old L3b

right hand L = old L1b
right hand L1 = old L2a
(right hand L2 = old L3a)

If one of the switches works 'upside down' afterwards, swap the wires between L1 and L2 on the affected switch.

 

[dowzer]

The grouping of the terminals of the old switch is NOT top & bottom, as your post suggests. It is left and right.

Note the raised diagonal line moulded in the plastic on the back of the old switch. That is the division between the left and right switch units. Each half has three terminals arranged in a triangle, with one triangle inverted.

The division is more obvious on your new switch, and both sets of terminals are the same way up.

So:-

left hand L = old L1a
left hand L1 = old L2b
left hand L2 = old L3b

right hand L = old L1b
right hand L1 = old L2a
(right hand L2 = old L3a)

If one of the switches works 'upside down' afterwards, swap the wires between L1 and L2 on the affected switch.

Brilliant, thank you