Wiring a 2 way 2 gang light switch HELP NEEDED.

[ElectricalAmateur]

Ok some HELP required on wiring a 2 gang 2 way light switch please.
I have read the other threads but they make no sense to me.
I have the following setup:
A single light switch at the top of the stairs ( Landing) that just operates that light.
A double light switch at the bottom of the stairs that operates both the upstairs ( Landing) light & the downstairs hall light (Main Hallway).
A double light switch by the street door that operates the the downstairs light ( Main Hallway) & the front HallWay ( By the street door).
I have already successfully installed the double switch by the street door ( Without too much hassle).
It is the switch at the bottom of the stairs that I am having problems with.
No matter how I seem to wire it, it is wrong, I have managed to get the upstairs ( Landing ) light to come on / off without problems, & even got the downstairs hallway to work & switch on & off, but then I can't get to switch on or off from the switch by the street door.
The wiring to the switch I am having problems with contains the following wires that appear to be in two separate sections:
As you look at it:
Right Hand side:
1x Blue Wire.
1x Red Wire.
1x Yellow Wire ( With A Red Sleeve).
Left Hand Side:
1x Blue Wire & 1x Black Wire ( Both With Red Sleeves) These Wires Are Twisted Together.
2 x Red Wires Twisted Together.
1 x Yellow Wire.
I might add at this point these is also an earth wire but this is connected to the back box so that is fine.
The switch I am trying to fit is a brass plate with 2 separate blocks on the reverse.
Both blocks contain the following screw holes in a three hole arrangement:
At the top it reads " L ".
Bottom Reads " L1 " & " L2 ".
So my question is this - Where & how I fix each wire ???????????

 

[wingcoax]

Normally the red would go in L1/com and the yellow and blue in L2 and L3

 

[EFLImpudence]

The above is not correct.

Amended -

The Yellow wire must be connected to L at both switches.

Keep the two pairs of wires together and put the Red pair in L1
Blue and Black to L2.


At the other switch Red to L1
Blue to L2.

You must connect the earth wire (cpc) to the switch as it is metal.
Another wire from this switch earth to the back box would be good (but not essential if one of the back box lugs is solid).

 

[ElectricalAmateur]

Thanks for the info, but as my user name says " Amateur " being the optimum word.
I still have no idea what you mean.
As stated in the original post, on the back of the socket they are marked " L - L1 - L2 ".
There is NO L3 as you have replied
Also I don't know what a " Common" even means!!!!!
I am trying to upload pictures of the wiring / socket for more help.
PLEASE .

 

[ElectricalAmateur]

//www.diynot.com/network/ElectricalAmateur/albums/16390/61315

//www.diynot.com/network/ElectricalAmateur/albums/16390/61316

 

[ElectricalAmateur]

Above are links to pictures of both the wiring & the back of the switch.
If someone could just say in REALLY SIMPLE terms where each goes.
I.E. twisted red to L or L1 or L2 left as you look at or right as you look at switch.
Many many thanks in advance.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As you look at it:
Right Hand side:
1x Blue Wire.
1x Red Wire.
1x Yellow Wire ( With A Red Sleeve).
Left Hand Side:
1x Blue Wire & 1x Black Wire ( Both With Red Sleeves) These Wires Are Twisted Together.
2 x Red Wires Twisted Together.
1 x Yellow Wire.
I might add at this point these is also an earth wire but this is connected to the back box so that is fine.
The switch I am trying to fit is a brass plate with 2 separate blocks on the reverse.
Both blocks contain the following screw holes in a three hole arrangement:
At the top it reads " L ".
Bottom Reads " L1 " & " L2 ".
So my question is this - Where & how I fix each wire ???????????

The configuration will depend on the way the second way is wired.
Did you take a note of the original set up of the switch that is being replaced?
On your switch markings Com=L

I tend to go Yellow Com/L, then L1 red, and L2 blue/black.
But it would be wise to check the other functional switch terminals.

 

[EFLImpudence]

SORRY, MY MISTAKE - Amended

The Yellow wire must be connected to L at both switches.

Keep the two pairs of wires together and put the Red pair in L1
Blue and Black to L2.


At the other switch Red to L1
Blue to L2.

You must connect the earth wire (cpc) to the switch as it is metal.
Another wire from this switch earth to the back box would be good (but not essential if one of the back box lugs is solid).

 

[ElectricalAmateur]

Yes I did " PrenticeBoyofDerry " but alas no joy.
It was laid out in the following way, from back of switch as you look at it.
Top left marked L1 no wires.
Middle Left marked L2 - Blue & Black wires twisted together.
Top Right marked Common - Yellow.
Bottom Left marked common - Yellow red sleeve.
Bottom Middle marked L1 - Red.
Bottom Right marked L2 - Blue wire red sleeve.
I Should also poit out that the 2 red twisted wires were not connected to anything.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You can opt for Plan A, or Plan B.

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Check for voltage present, circuit continuity, switches working etc.
• Connect everything up properly.

PLAN B:

• Get an electrician.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Yes I did " PrenticeBoyofDerry " but alas no joy.
It was laid out in the following way, from back of switch as you look at it.
Top left marked L1 no wires.
Middle Left marked L2 - Blue & Black wires twisted together.
Top Right marked Common - Yellow.
Bottom Left marked common - Yellow red sleeve.
Bottom Middle marked L1 - Red.
Bottom Right marked L2 - Blue wire red sleeve.
I Should also poit out that the 2 red twisted wires were not connected to anything.

Have you a photo of old switch as what you are describing does not sound correct, not come across a combination such as that.
L2 middle left has me baffled, if you have L2 bottom right and L1 Middle bottom.

I would expect something more like this

Untitled

• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 15 May 2013
• 4

 

[EFLImpudence]

And the only difference in your new switch is it has 'L' instead of 'Com'.

 

[ElectricalAmateur]

" EFLImpudence " have wired up exactly as your amended post states.
All seems to be working but with just one problem.
The upstairs light now turns on & off from both the switch I am wiring & the upstairs switch - So all ok there.
The downstairs main hall light switches on & off from the switch by the street door - So all ok there.
BUT & a BIG BUT - The main hall light now switches on & off ok from the switch I am currently wiring, but if it is ON or OFF it will NOT turn on or off from the switch by the street door.
So where am I going wrong now??????

 

[EFLImpudence]

If you have the same number of wires in these two switches - 3 in one and five in the other - (as in the two which operate the landing) light then.

you must ensure that the same colour single wire is in the L terminal at both switches.
Keep pairs together but it doesn't matter if they are in L1 or L2.


Just to note that you have called both lights in the hall 'main hall light' so a bit confusing.
More attention to detail in your descriptions would be helpful.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I tend to go Yellow Com/L, then L1 red, and L2 blue/black.
But it would be wise to check the other functional switch terminals.