light switch

[andy1494]

hi there just need small advise please, went to old man house today as he said a light switch is broken, but on the old one there three connection, L1,L2,L3, but the new one I bought today has only L1 connection L2 there nothing there and one un named could you tell which one I use or I need another type any help much appreciated thanks

 

[davelx]

Could you reword this so it makes more sense:

"only L1 connection L2 there nothing there and one un named"

What wires were connected to which terminals? Can you post a photo?

 

[andy1494]

How manyand what colour wires are connected to the old switch and to which terminals?

I thought I uploaded two photo

Untitled

• andy1494
• 25 May 2015
• 1

Untitled

• andy1494
• 25 May 2015
• 1

 

[Jackrae]

 

[flameport]

You have the wrong switch - the new one is a 1 way, you need a 2 way.

 

[davelx]

Is there another switch that operates the same light?

Most likely is as follows:

OLD NEW
L1 unmarked/COM/C
L2 L1
L3 L2

No harm will occur if they are connected incorrectly, they just won't work as expected.

 

[davelx]

You have the wrong switch - the new one is a 1 way, you need a 2 way.

The new one appears to have 3 terminals to me - the photo is so dark that I can't see if there is actually metal in all 3 though. If not, then as you say, it's the wrong type of switch.

 

[Jackrae]

The red sleeved wire goes into Com or unmarked top terminal on your photo.

The black goes into the left terminal on your photo and the red into the right terminal on your photo.

 

[andy1494]

sorry my wording on the new switch bottom left is L1 bottom right L2 but there no connection to put wire in to and at top there a connection with nothing on there

 

[davelx]

sorry my wording on the new switch bottom left is L1 bottom right L2 but there no connection to put wire in to and at top there a connection with nothing on there

Flameport is therefore correct. (by "nothing on there" you mean "unmarked"?)

 

[andy1494]

sorry my wording on the new switch bottom left is L1 bottom right L2 but there no connection to put wire in to and at top there a connection with nothing on there

Flameport is therefore correct. (by "nothing on there" you mean "unmarked"?)

thanks two you both I understand now

 

[davelx]

When you get a new switch, it will most likely be marked "C"or "COM", L1 and L2. Most likely connection is as in my earlier post (now edited).

 

[andy1494]

When you get a new switch, it will most likely be marked "C"or "COM", L1 and L2. Most likely connection is as in my earlier post (now edited).

thanks davelx

 

[Taylortwocities]

Andy, please look again at your new switch.

I have looked at the pic (zoomin) in your album and I can clearly see a copper sleeve and a terminating screw in the single connection at the top of the switch?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yes.

I don't think anybody has tried to claim that there isn't one there. What's missing, it seems, is an L2.

2 years ago the OP got into a bit of a mess because he decided that he could fiddle with his electrics even though he didn't know what he was doing. So another thing missing, it seems, is learning from that mistake.