help for two gang switch

[swhittlestone]

hi, could somebody please tell me what im doing wrong. I have a two gang switch one for inside shed light and one for outside shed light. There is also a feed cable coming into the box. I will try and upload a picture of what i have done.

Thanks

 

[swhittlestone]

not sure how to add picture but u can see it if you click on my name

 

[ricicle]

The switch is connected correctly and I assume you have joined the Neutrals together in the connector. (I hope you have joined the Earths through as well)

Have you tested for 230V at the switch and at each light ?

 

[swhittlestone]

yer the earths are connected together, this was already done but some one alterd the wiring which is why im confused, havnt tested.

 

[ricicle]

So what is actually the problem ?

 

[swhittlestone]

neither light is working, just wonderd if iv wired up wrong as im no expert

 

[cumbriahandyman]

 

[ricicle]

As I said you have connected the wires correctly in the right place but I would double check that you haven't screwed down on the insulation of the wires in any of the terminations. After that the voltage needs to be checked at the switch and if ok there then at each light.
I would say that it is a problem with the supply wiring as both lights don't come on. Check those terminations and remember to isolate first !

 

[swhittlestone]

thanks for putting the picture up

 

[40 watt spark]

Have you added a outside light to the shed and changed the internal 1g to a 2g switch ??

If thats the case then it may be that your 'feed cable' is in fact the switchline for the existing light, i.e theres no neutral at the switch. If both lights are using normal 60w lamps (not low energy or fluorescent) do they come on dimly if both switches are on ??

 

[swhittlestone]

ok i will check that, thanks very much for your help

 

[ricicle]

Have you added a outside light to the shed and changed the internal 1g to a 2g switch ??

If thats the case then it may be that your 'feed cable' is in fact the switchline for the existing light, i.e theres no neutral at the switch. If both lights are using normal 60w lamps (not low energy or fluorescent) do they come on dimly if both switches are on ??

Good thinking Batman !

 

[swhittlestone]

outside light has always been on there but just been replaced, inside light is normal bulb, outside light is halogen. I dont know if this is anything to do with it but there is a main switch which actually turns the two gang switch on and off.

 

[ricicle]

Then I'm afraid it's testing time. You need to be able to carry this out safely with a voltage tester or multimeter on the correct setting.

 

[sparkwright]

Are you certain all power is on?

All fuses, circuit breakers, RCDs?

Even if you removed the fuse or isolated a circuit breaker, working on the circuit could cause an RCD to trip which could have gone unnoticed.
This would trip if you touched earth and neutral together, assuming you have an RCD of course.