Non-conventional wiring of a 2 gang 2 way switch

[kozel13]

Hi all,

New to this forum so would be gratefull for any suggestions of my problem. I have decided to change the switches in my house, all went fine apart from one switch. I took it off and did not note how it was wired there before, now I can't put if together.

It's a 2 gang 2 way switch. One gang operates outside light, the other operates hallway. The hallway is a 2 way switch crossconnected with another 1 gang 2 way switch (hope it makes sence).

Now, there are 9 wires excluding earth (3 red,3 yellow and 3 blue) and additional small red bridge wire. The issue is 2 blue are not working (when I took it off they weren't being used).

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks,

Peter

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What do you mean by "2 blue are not working"?

Have you tried putting the new switch in? What worked/didn't work?

Conductors "not working" doesn't really make sense - it's lights which work or don't work.

Do you have, and know how to use, a multimeter, and do you have an understanding of how lighting circuits are wired? If no you'll be best off getting an electrician.

 

[kozel13]

Hi,

What I meant is that 2 blue were chock blocked together so I assumed they weren't being used.

I have tried putting a new switch, used tester and found the 3 cables that 'worked' (i.e. were live). That way I got the halway light to work (yellow in L, red in L1 and blue in L2), however I cannot seem to be able to conect it with the other 1 gang 2 way switch, let alone bridge the current to the other gang of the switch so I can connect the outside light.

I have tried different combinations, firtsly the one suggested on the diagram that came with it but none of it seems to work.

I have basic understanding of the lighting circuits, manged to change the rest of the lights in the household apart from this one.

Happy to upload photos if you think that may help.

Cheers.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You need test equipment that can test for continuity and voltage.
I guess you have three sets of cable each with red, blue, yellow core colours and CPC/earth. Can you confirm this have you three sets in grey sheaths?
What conductors are at the second two way switch for hallway and at the outside light?
Were any of the conductors not terminated at the old switch?
The two blues(in connection strip) do you have an intermediate switch, does the hallway work off three different switches or the outside lights for that matter?

 

[kozel13]

Have one as well, was using a tester just to make sure it doesn't gimme a kick in the backside.

The second switch has the same yellow (L), red (L1) and blue (L2) connected as I connected it the way it was before.

Not sure what you mean by terminated but apart from the 2 chock blocked blues they were all connected somewhere in the old switch.

Thanks

 

[kozel13]

Just to answer your last question -no immediate switch there, halway only operates on 2 switches.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The second switch has the same yellow (L), red (L1) and blue (L2) connected

is there a third switch?

Just to answer your last question -no immediate switch there, halway only operates on 2 switches.

okay, I assume the red in L1 is permanently live? and no voltage at second hallway switch?
What have you at the hallway light fitting?

 

[kozel13]

No no third switch and no voltage in the 2nd halway switch at the moment.

As far as I can see there are 2 red, 2 black 1 yeallow, 1 blue and earth going to the light

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

No no third switch and no voltage in the 2nd halway switch at the moment.

As far as I can see there are 2 red, 2 black 1 yeallow, 1 blue and earth going to the light

how are they terminated?

 

[kozel13]

I can't take the cover off to look inside (just hanging from the wall as the screws dont hold onto the ceiling) so sorry cannot answer this one.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

you say you have a continuity tester?
with circuit isolated you need to connect the earth/cpc to one of the three cores at the second switch then test for continuity at the two gang switch between CPC and the chosen core colour.

 

[kozel13]

I have found a piece of wire left at home and using that and ohm-meter managed to find which wires lead to the 'un-functional' socket. However, I am still not able to make this work. As an amateur, I would probably need someone to help me in a way: connect 2 reds in L1, blue in L2 and yellow to L. But I quess it's not as simple as that is it?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You don't have two spare blues though, as you stated two of the three were already joined together, I assume prior to disconnection everything worked?
so you have now found the three core colours that correspond to the ones at the double gang plate. Can you do the same with the outside light?

 

[securespark]

You say you have changed other switches in the house: if you have made a mistake in another switch, this may exacerbate your current problem.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Hi,

What I meant is that 2 blue were chock blocked together so I assumed they weren't being used.

Can we go back to these two blues please?

Have you now put them back as they were before - connected together in a bit of choc block. They are almost certainly neutrals and are being used.