Lighting - switch wiring

[Hillsy]

Hi - i'm trying to replace all the sockets and switches in my house. Just the front plates. the trouble is that the wiring and switches I take off look nothing like the diagrams. There are a mass of red wires on some 2 way 2 gang switches and in some cases small pieces connecting across the back of the switches. Haven't a clue where to start on these and I've managed to blow fuse on the main board already. Does it sound wrong and should i get somebody in? The house is about 20 years old]

 

[Steve]

Switch wiring is something that will only work one way. If you put the wires back in a different way it will never work.

You need to find how it was wired before and replicate that.

 

[BuckRogers]

Hillsy, what I do is to remember what goes where.
Masking tape, paper and pen. Switch terminals are generally marked L1 L2 and Comm. All I do is attach masking tape to each wire, with L1 L2 or Comm written on it.
The wires going across the switch is the live feed from one to another - you'll find that they go from Comm to Comm, and your new switch should do that also.
2 way switches are a nightmare unless you mark what goes where !
Power off, clearly, which means have a torch handy, or better yet one of those lights that strap to the head.
Metal front plates must be earthed.

Good luck !

 

[Hillsy]

Thanks to you both - it's just a different layout on the switch,. The old one being replaced has 3 points in line top and bottom, the new one has one at the top (assume this is common?) and then L1 and L2 at the bottom.

I'll give it a go with the pen paper and tape - cheers!