Need advice replacing a 2 way switch

OM2

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I'm trying to replace a 2 way light switch in the kitchen.
I opened up and the earth wire connection is NOT connected properly.
I'm so confused. The existing light switch is at least 12+ years old.

See pic below:

QmNxm5F.jpg


The new switch I purchased is shown below:

YOUBKOG.jpg


I would normally just replace like for like. But in this case, I am confused what to do.

Thanks.
 
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There is no need to be confused - connect the earths to the new switch as should have been done with the old one.


The new switch is more or less the same as the old - with Com, 1 & 2 - apart from one switch is upside down.

1657552434306.png
 
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@EFLImpudence Thanks for the advice.
So... connect the earth... turn upside down and just copy the existing wiring?
I was a bit confused what you were saying in your diagram with the yellow triangles.
Let me know.
Thanks.
 
In your old switch ,left hand side,has
Yellow wire in com terminal
Brown wire in terminal 2
Blue wire in terminal 1
On your new switch ,left hand side,it's respective terminals are com ( yellow wire), L12 ( brown wire) and L11 ( blue wire).
Follow the same principle on the right hand side.
 
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Only one of the switches is upside down compared to the old so you will have to transfer the wires from COM, 1 & 2 to COM2, L21, & L22 on each switch.

1657553871654.png
 
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@EFLImpudence I followed your diagram - what a lifesaver!
And... it worked only for 1 switch.
The other switch doesn't work.

There are 2 sets of lights.
The left switch controls the main lights.
The right switch controls lights under the kitchen cabinets.
About 4/5 meters away we have another light switch that controls the lights from there.
Turn on with one switch and you can go to the other and turn off and vice versa.
I thought I'd explain the arrangement we have currently.


So... I took the earthing cable and put it into the number 1 slot.
And hey presto it all works fine now!!

But... is this not dangerous?
Why was the wiring arranged like this?
I've left as is for the moment until I hear back from you guys.

Thanks.
 
Show us a picture of how you have wired the switched.
It's unlikely that you have connected an earth conductor to any of the terminals marked 1.
That would cause a dead short ,and blow a fuse ,or trip a breaker.
 
I did exactly what @EFLImpudence told me - the difference being that the earth cable is connected to the same location as in the old one.

See his pic below:
1657553871654-png.274207
 
Oh... the yellow cable I'm referring to. I assumed that was the earthing cable?
 
no - that is just a yellow wire , and will be live at some point , depending on the 2 way switch connections

there is a standard for colours to be used, but that very much depends on whoever wired it up in the first place - often they may have red/brown sleeves over

I did exactly what @EFLImpudence told me
Which shows the yellow on label1 on old and same place label 1 on new , as @EFLImpudence showed
So... I took the earthing cable and put it into the number 1 slot.
Which was how original shown to wire - not following the issue
 
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Super confused now
I'll open up again and see if I can find the earthing cable.
 
the yellow/green striped cables are your Earths - or should be - its sleeving thats put over the bare cable thats inside the outer grey cable

See previous post
 
As said above ,the earthing conductors are sleeved in green/ yellow. They should be connected to the earth terminal on the back of the switch plate.
Please show us pics of how you have wired everything
 
Sorry for the late reply. I opened up tonight and took a few pics.
See below.

tvX4na7.jpg


2LfRvRi.jpg


cmLEKo8.jpg


There is a yellow and green cable - but I can't see a loose end.
I'm completely baffled. Some of the wiring is bundled up in red tape.
Could something be happening in there?

So confused now.
I was late night, so I couldn't turn the lights off and poke around the cables.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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