two way switch help

[soup127]

Hi
I had to replace a two way switch,but when i took the old one
out a red wire was loose,the other wires were like this
at the top,blue A,black B1,and at the bottem
black A2,red B
I wired the new switch like this,at the top
black L1,blue L2 and red Com,and at the bottem
red Com,black L1.
The lights work except when i use the switch downstairs
to turn the lights on upstairs,i can't turn the lights of
with switch upstairs,and vice versa
any help would be great thanks

 

[andy]

see for reference to find out how it should be wired. you may need a multimeter to find out what cable does what

 

[Lectrician]

A description of what cables are in what sheaths would help!

Do you have one cheathed cable with a red and black core, and another sheathed cable with red, yellow and blue cores??


Reading your description, I see no mention of yellow, but two mentions of black A photo would be great.

 

[soup127]

Hi
There are two cables,the top cable has earth,black going to A2,blue going
to A,and red which was loose so im not sure were that went.
The 2nd cable has earth,black going to B1,and red going to Com.
I've taken some photos but don't know how to show them here.
Again thanks for any help.

 

[moderator]

Hi
I've taken some photos but don't know how to show them here.
Again thanks for any help.

you can help your self by searching.

Q) guess what is in "forum information?"

A) how to insert a picture in your post

 

[soup127]

Hi
new switch
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c182/soup127/switches/JohnandJenny030.jpg

the
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c182/soup127/switches/JohnandJenny028.jpg

old switch
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c182/soup127/switches/JohnandJenny027.jpg

here is some photos that might help.[/url]

 

[Lectrician]

Looks a mess

Looks like rather than use a 3 core cable, they have used 2 x 2 core cables, and a single run of single blue??

Can you clarify this?? How many outer-sheaths are there (grey) - I can see one with a red and black in, another with what looks like just red and black, and then blue on it's own????

What lights does this switch operate?? Hall and landing?? With just the landing able to be switched from two locations??

 

[soup127]

Hi
Yes there are two cables,the cable to the left has
earth,black and red.
the other cable has earth,black,blue and red.
The switch operates the hall and landing,but if
i turn the landing light on from downstairs i
can't turn it off upstairs and vise versa.

Thanks again for trying to help

 

[Lectrician]

OK, can you open the other switch that controls the landing, and tell us, or post a pic of the connections and colours there.....

I think we can win then! (easier than getting you to beep out the cores)

 

[soup127]

Hi
The switch at the top of the stairs has,one blue wire going to Com 1 way
use,2 black wires going to L1,and 2 red wires going to L2.
Hope this helps.

 

[Lectrician]

OK. The 2 gang switch you want to fit.

The cable with red and black in connects as follows.

RED to COM of one side of the switch
BLACK to L1 of the same side of the switch



The 3 core cable connects as follows.

RED to L1
BLACK to L2
BLUE to COM



Something like this:

Very odd colours on the 3 core cable - are you sure it is a three core cable??

Put some red sleeve or tape onto the non-red cores, as these are also lives.

Also, make sure you put both earths to the backbox, and a new peice of earth cable from back box to the new switch, as it is a brass one.

 

[soup127]

Hi lectrician
Thanks for the help that worked a treat,that was doing my head in.
One more thing,the switch upstairs is earthed to the switch,
would i be better to wire it to the back box,and add an earth
wire from the box to the switch.

 

[Lectrician]

If it is another metal fronted switch, then yes.

Glad it's working.