Wiring a single 2 way dimmer switch

[peh1]

Hi. I'm trying to replace a single 2 way dimmer switch. The new switch has L1, L2 and earth? (a curvy line with an arrow through it). The old switch has holes marked 'load', line 1, line 2, & loop. It has 3 red wires going into it: a single red wire going into line 2. Then from a larger cable comes 2 reds and an earth wire - one red going into line 1, one red going into 'Load' and the earth is just trapped tightly behind the metal bracket that the switch fits onto.

Where do I connect those 3 reds and the earth wire into the new switch?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Paul.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Hi. I'm trying to replace a single 2 way dimmer switch. The new switch has L1, L2 and earth? (a curvy line with an arrow through it).

If you are thinking the wavy line symbol is earth then NO.
The earth terminal will be connected to the body of the switch, if metal.

The old switch has holes marked 'load', line 1, line 2, & loop. It has 3 red wires going into it: a single red wire going into line 2. Then from a larger cable comes 2 reds and an earth wire - one red going into line 1, one red going into 'Load' and the earth is just trapped tightly behind the metal bracket that the switch fits onto.

Not 100% clear, Can we have some pictures?
You should mark the wires and take one before disconnecting, anyway.

You will need to put the three loop wires in a separate terminal block and position safely.

When you say '2 way switch' do you mean there is another switch which operates the same light?

 

[peh1]

Hi EFL. I've managed to sort it out now, thanks. The line 1 went into L1, line 2 into L2 and load into the common (the wavey line with the arrow through it - not the earth as I first thought). Thanks for your reply anyway.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Electrical installation by guesswork.

Luckily you guessed right.

For next time, you could either hope to enjoy a run of good luck, or you could read up on stuff first.

• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=electrical+circuits+101
  
  
• http://kevinboone.net/electricity.html
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/domesticinstallations.html
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:books
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics