swapping light switch from up to down!?

[simondyntDBeK]

Hi,

I have a light switch at the bottom of my stairs which is the wrong way (ie down is off and up is on).

Is there a way to make this normal? Is it just a matter of swapping wires around or something!?

Ta

Simon

 

[jj4091]

How about just turning it through 180 degrees.

 

[simondyntDBeK]

Hi jj4091 - sorry, forgot to say it's on a panel of three switches!

Simon

 

[festa]

Is the switch you want to change part of a two way switch ?

 

[RF Lighting]

In that case, you need to swap the switch wire

The most likely is it will need moving from the terminal marked 'L2' to the terminal marked 'L1'.

Problem is these markings vary between manufacturers, so if you are not sure, take a photo of the back of the switch and post it on here, and we will be able to tell you for sure.

 

[simondyntDBeK]

festa - yes it is.

RF Lighting - will go and have a nose now.

Cheers!

 

[simondyntDBeK]

humm - not as simple as I thought!!! This is a picture of the double socket (which I assumed would be easier to change than the triple socket)

pics:

labeled as:

TOP row ACOM - B1 - B2
BOTTOM row - A1 - A2 - BCOM

Hope you can help!

 

[securespark]

No, we can't. Sorry!

In a two-way circuit, there will be a switch that is in the "wrong position".

Think about it for a moment....

 

[simondyntDBeK]

But if both switches are in the up position the light will be off - if both are in the down position the light will also be off - if one is different to the other - then light will be on (I think!)

What I have now is there is always one up and one down It's purely aesthetic (and a bit OCD) but would be great to have them even.

Incidentally - I had the same problem with another light on the stairs with one that was a single switch and jj4091's answer worked a treat!!

Simon

 

[RF Lighting]

All you need to do is swap the position of the yellow and blue wires.


I m a bit anal about two way setups being off if both switches are in the same position.


Make sure you turn off the electric at the CU before you swap the wires

 

[securespark]

1st Sw.............2nd Sw........Light

U....................U.............OFF

U....................D.............ON

D....................D.............OFF

D....................U.............ON

It can be done, but why bother?

 

[bernardgreen]

I think the OP wants the two switches to be in the same setting when the amp is OFF either both down or both up. This is tidier.

So if the OP wants this switch "reversed" all he has to do it exchange the blue and yellow.

 

[simondyntDBeK]

Thanks everyone for your help! Will have a go tomorrow when it's a bit lighter.

As I mentioned above - it is purely for looks and because I'm a bit funny like that!

Thanks again.

Simon

 

[bernardgreen]

In the past I remember being told to ensure that a two way was set up to be off if switches were both up or both down and on if they were one up one down.

 

[Spark123]

I've opted for this system in the past so they can be switched off in a power cut and not come on when the power is restored.