light switch confusion

[gcharlt]

Can somebody please help
I have bought 2 x 2 gang 2 way light switches to replace my old ones and on arriving home i discovered they are different on the rear connections:
Original switch has 3 top connections L1,L2,L3 & same on the bottom
The new switch has usual COM on top & L1,L2 on the bottom
Any ideas ? have i the wrong switch?
Many thanks for any replies to help me out

 

[flyingsparks]

Old switch l1 goes to com on the new one. L2 and l3 go to l1 and l2 on the new switch.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Com=L1
L1=L2
L2=L3
The old switch may have been configured like this (with com as L1, L1 as L2 and L2 as L3) :

Untitled

• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 15 May 2013
• 4

 

[gcharlt]

thanks for that ,
How would i wire the new switch up

 

[flyingsparks]

The same way as the old one, as we have told you, just connect each wire to the new corresponding terminals. Make sure you label them properly, or if the wires are long enough, move them one at a time. Do not confuse the two switches tho!

 

[gcharlt]

As i have only 1 com on the new switch does that mean that the wires on both the old L1 connections go to 1 terminal on the new?

 

[riveralt]

As i have only 1 com on the new switch does that mean that the wires on both the old L1 connections go to 1 terminal on the new?

For a two gang switch you should have two com terminals.
How many cables do you have?
Can you provide photographs of the original cable set up and/or how you have connected the new one.

 

[riveralt]

duplicate

 

[gcharlt]

thanks
I only have 1 com and 1 L1 & L2
Not at the property until thursday as it is a refurb but will take photo and post
Many thanks for you help

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Original switch has 3 top connections L1,L2,L3 & same on the bottom
The new switch has usual COM on top & L1,L2 on the bottom
Any ideas ?

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


//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:twogang

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Can somebody please help
I have bought 2 x 2 gang 2 way light switches to replace my old ones and on arriving home i discovered they are different on the rear connections:
Original switch has 3 top connections L1,L2,L3 & same on the bottom
The new switch has usual COM on top & L1,L2 on the bottom

thanks
I only have 1 com and 1 L1 & L2
Not at the property until thursday as it is a refurb but will take photo and post
Many thanks for you help

Any ideas ? have i the wrong switch?

Yes sounds like you have a one gang switch, the give away would be the single switch/rocker on front of plate!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

thanks
I only have 1 com and 1 L1 & L2

I have bought 2 x 2 gang 2 way light switches

Not at the property until thursday as it is a refurb but will take photo and post

What's your role in the electrical aspects of the refurbishment?

 

[gcharlt]

Role in refurb electrics are i am changing all roses,light switches and sockets fronts.

 

[gcharlt]

Role in refurb electrics are i am changing all roses,light switches and sockets fronts.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Role in refurb electrics are i am changing all roses,light switches and sockets fronts.

Oh dear! You could be here sometime then, if you cannot discriminate between a single and double gang switch!