2 gang switch for 2 lights wiring

[Alex7694]

Hi all, I've seen other threads on this topic but they don't have the same wiring set up as I've discovered!

I'm replacing a 2 gang switch with 1 controlling an outside light and 1 a kitchen light.

When I took the old faceplate off there was a live (red) going into L1 , the a short piece of cable linking the 2 come then the other live (red) went into the com on the other switch. I've replicated this on the new switch but only the outside light will come on.

I've tried switching the lives itnthe other L1 but still only the outside comes on.

Both lights worked before I took it off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Iggifer]

That yellow is more than likely not an earth. Your earths are connected to the backbox.

That yellow is more than likely a switch live, where was it connected before?

 

[bernardgreen]

It is most likely that the yellow is the Switched Live to the lamps that does not work. If so then the yellow needs to go to L1 or L2 of the switch with two reds in the COM.

Of the switch has a metal front plate then the earth wires ( Green/Yellow) should go to the Earth terminal on the switch to ensure the metal front plate is Earthed

 

[Alex7694]

Oh Yeah haha, So that yellow needs to go into L1 on the second side! Cheers pal.

I should earth the switch though too right?

 

[Alex7694]

Thanks.

 

[SUNRAY]

Hi all, I've seen other threads on this topic but they don't have the same wiring set up as I've discovered!

I'm replacing a 2 gang switch with 1 controlling an outside light and 1 a kitchen light.

When I took the old faceplate off there was a live (red) going into L1 , the a short piece of cable linking the 2 come then the other live (red) went into the com on the other switch. I've replicated this on the new switch but only the outside light will come on.

I've tried switching the lives itnthe other L1 but still only the outside comes on.

Both lights worked before I took it off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.View attachment 136247 View attachment 136248

Whoa. I dont think the yellow is likely to be the earth connexion.
Are there any other switches involved (2 way like on the stairs)

My best guess is the yellow is the second light and goes to the vacant 'L1'.

YOU WILL NEED AN EARTH LINK FROM THE BACKBOX TO WHERE THE YELLOW IS CURRENTLY TERMINATED.


Edit,
OOPS sunray is much too slow... looks like you're already on it

 

[Echo the husky]

You were very close to serious danger there. Please call an electrician for any future electrical work.

 

[Iggifer]

You were very close to serious danger there. Please call an electrician for any future electrical work.

Yea if that wasn’t the switch wire and was actually the feed, things might have been a little uncomfortable operating that switch!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You were very close to serious danger there. Please call an electrician for any future electrical work.

Seriously, Alex - you really do not know enough to be fiddling with your electrics. Get plumbing wrong and you might get a leak, or even a flood. Get joinery wrong and your doors might stick.

Get gardening wrong and your plants might die.

Get electrics wrong and people might die.


You can learn - it isn't rocket science, but until you have learned, please don't DIY.

• http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/House_Wiring_for_Beginners
  
  
• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+house+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  
  
• http://kevinboone.net/electricity.html
  
  
• http://web.archive.org/web/20080213151445/http://www.kevinboone.com/domesticinstallations.html
  
  
• https://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  
  
• https://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index