Wiring a Lightswitch Toggle Single 2 Way type

[MikeDee]

Hi
I bought 2 new light switches today for my living room. They are both Toggle type, Single 2 Way switches from B&Q.
After switching off the mains, I removed the old switches and fitted the new ones. I presumed they would be an exact "swap-over", i.e the wiring would be "wire for wire".
After wiring up i found one switch didn't work. Only one switch works. All connections are very good. Ive rewired switches before and never had problems. I followed instructions carefully too.
Can anyone tell me what im doing wrong. Should i be wiring up differently? One of the switch casings has extra wiring/connector boxes, should i be using these? If so, how?
Thanks
Mike

 

[Taylortwocities]

You are a bit sketchy on the details.

Did you make a note of what wires went to what terminals on the old switches. Not all switches are laid out the same, tell us what is marked on the old and the new switches.

These two switches, do they operate one light or do they operate two different lights?

How many cables do you have going into each switch, what colours on each cable.

Do not mess with the "extra wiring/connector boxes".
You're already up sheep creek, if you change stuff here you'll have lost your paddle and kicked a hole in the bottom of your canoe.

 

[MikeDee]

You are a bit sketchy on the details.

Did you make a note of what wires went to what terminals on the old switches. Not all switches are laid out the same, tell us what is marked on the old and the new switches.

These two switches, do they operate one light or do they operate two different lights?

How many cables do you have going into each switch, what colours on each cable.

Do not mess with the "extra wiring/connector boxes".
You're already up sheep creek, if you change stuff here you'll have lost your paddle and kicked a hole in the bottom of your canoe.

Old Switches-
L1 = RED
L2 = BLUE
L = Yellow

New Switches-
L1 = RED
L2 = BLUE
L = Yellow

.....excatly the same. The new switches markings are just about identicle to the old ones.

The switches operate the single ceiling light in living room.

One wire going into each exiting terminal, i.e. red to L1, blue to L2, yellow to L

cheers

 

[securespark]

Which terminals do the RYB go into at the other end of the cable??

 

[ebee]

L1, L2 & L are odd markings, what make of switch is it?

They are usually either C, L1 & L2
or L1, L2 & L3

 

[MikeDee]

L1, L2 & L are odd markings, what make of switch is it?

They are usually either C, L1 & L2
or L1, L2 & L3

sorry, they are L1, L2 and C.

i'll get back home later and post you the make.

 

[MikeDee]

Which terminals do the RYB go into at the other end of the cable??

forgive my ignorance, but is the RYB, Red, yellow, blue?

will post back later today once i get home.

 

[ebee]

RYB = Red Yellow Blue = the good old British 3 phase colours before those "Killer Colours" Brown Black Grey were foisted on us

 

[MikeDee]

RYB = Red Yellow Blue = the good old British 3 phase colours before those "Killer Colours" Brown Black Grey were foisted on us

cheers mate!, will get back later on today

 

[MikeDee]

L1, L2 & L are odd markings, what make of switch is it?

They are usually either C, L1 & L2
or L1, L2 & L3

its make appears to be ELECTRIUM, i got them from B&Q

 

[MikeDee]

Which terminals do the RYB go into at the other end of the cable??

do you mean the terminals that go into the actual light fitting on the ceiling?

 

[Steve]

The red yellow blue normally goes from switch to switch, with a normal twin and earth connecting one switch to the light fitting. This switch will have two cores in two of its terminals. Is this the case?

 

[Taylortwocities]

But he has only mentioned one three core cable at each switch. This means either a hidden term box or the three cores both join at the pendant (cable saving method).

Mike, can u say what cables are at the light fitting?

 

[Steve]

But he has only mentioned one three core cable at each switch. This means either a hidden term box or the three cores both join at the pendant (cable saving method).

Indeed, but this method isn't mentioned on any cig-packet drawings that come with light switches! So he's also followed wrong diagrams if this is the case!

 

[Taylortwocities]

I know, but we've got to move on.

It is more normal for the red to be on C and yello & blue on L1 and L2 at both ends.

There's no harm in him trying that (with the power off). Put the wires back as before if it doesnt work.

I'd like to know what is at the fitting though, either a lot of cables, or just two wires