Swapping 1 light socket for another.

[sadders]

Just decorated the hall so renewing light switches and sockets.

The downstairs hall is a 2 switch controlling the downstairs lights and upstairs landing. The landing is a triple controlling downstairs, upstairs landing and loft. I've already swapped this with no bother. Like for like.

The problem I have is the double is not like for like. The old one has obvious wiring for each side. Each has 2 L1s and 2 L2s! The new one has an L1, L2 and Com for each switch.

What to do?

Ta.

 

[Iggifer]

Sounds like you've bought the wrong switch.

Is there another switch (perhaps by the front door) that controls your downstairs light?
If so, you want a switch like this

 

[sadders]

You are right. Seems I needed an intermediate switch.

 

[ericmark]

Different manufacturers have different methods of labelling. Com, L1, L2 is the norm but L1, L2, L3 is also used. If we consider a switch has up to 4 terminals.
2 Terminal = on/off
3 Terminal = either/or (ie two way)
4 Terminal can either be double pole or intermediate (cross over).
So with 4 terminals yes there can be an problem but with 3 terminal there is very little chance that it's not a change over switch. Personally I use the multi-meter to work out what terminal does what.

 

[Iggifer]

Unfortunately not everybody makes 2 gang intermediate switches so you might struggle to get one to match the rest.

You might have to go with a grid arrangement

 

[Risteard]

not everybody

Read "hardly anybody"!

 

[Iggifer]

Read "hardly anybody"!

Haha yea very true. I was trying to be optimistic for the OP!

 

[sadders]

Unfortunately not everybody makes 2 gang intermediate switches so you might struggle to get one to match the rest.

You might have to go with a grid arrangement

One of the few listed on google matched.

Must be lucky.

 

[sparkwright]

Are there some more switches for the hall and landing you haven't told us about?

With just two switches wach for hall and landing it seems odd there are two intermediates.

Which makes me think there's more switches somewhere, or a double intermediate (most likely to be in grid) has been used when there wasn't any need.

Send pictures if you can please.