New light switch wiring

[Tommyt01]

Hi, sorry for a how do I for my first post but thanks in advance. I'm trying to change over a light switch but can't seem to wire the new one in. The old markings on the one don't match the new at all and I'm a bit lost. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks again

Untitled

• Tommyt01
• 17 Aug 2014
• 1

Untitled

• Tommyt01
• 17 Aug 2014
• 1

Untitled

• Tommyt01
• 17 Aug 2014
• 1

 

[sparkwright]

Put the red link wire across the two common terminals.

Put the solid red emerging from the wall ino one of the common terminals as well.

Put the stranded red in the L1 of the righthand switch.

Put the black in the L1 of the lefthand switch.

 

[Taylortwocities]

OK

The red with all the copper showing in the first picture, that goes to one of the L1 connections

The black goes on to the other L1 connection.

Link the two COM connections with the bit of red wire and you should then be left with one red wire and this also goes into one of the COM terminals.

VERY IMPORTANT POINT>>>>>

The new switch appears to be a metal plate and this must be earthed to the earthing terminal on the plate. Is there an earth connection in the switch back box? This MUST go to the front plate. If there is no earth conductor then you have to take the switch back to the shop and get a plastic one.


EDIT Damn your fast fingers sparkwright - I took time to remind about the earth though….!

 

[sparkwright]

Excellent point about the earth wire.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

3/.029 or .036, or some strands missing?

The old markings on the one don't match the new at all and I'm a bit lost.

Why don't you know how a 2-way switch works?

 

[JohnW2]

Is there an earth connection in the switch back box? This MUST go to the front plate. If there is no earth conductor then you have to take the switch back to the shop and get a plastic one.

Obviously a very important point. I'm not totally convinced (from the picture) that there actually is a back box, per se, are you?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Tommyt01]

Thankyou for your help, I can confirm there is a back box and I will earth it as said. The wall had to be plasterboarded and skimmed so the back box now sits about 50mm into to the wall.

Thanks

 

[JohnW2]

...I can confirm there is a back box and I will earth it as said. The wall had to be plasterboarded and skimmed so the back box now sits about 50mm into to the wall.

Thanks for confirming. Just to be clear/sure, not only does the back box need to be earthed, but there also needs to be a (wire/cable) connection between that earth and the earth terminal on the switch.

Kind Regards, John