2 lights on at once

[con1_uk]

Hi,

I have a 2 gang light switch, one of the switches is for my main kitchen light and is 2 way and works fine, the other switch works my outside light but it will only operate when the other light is on, is this a simple fix please? Would a picture help?

Ta

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, picture please - so we can see where all the wires go on both switches.

 

[donrkebab]

is this a simple fix please? Would a picture help?

The live to the outside light switch has been connected to a switchline/strapper, instead of the permanent live.

 

[con1_uk]

Hi, sorry I didn’t get back with a picture, summer nights and not needing the outside light...

anyway, after taking the switch off I noticed a wire that looks like the copper has snapped.

 

[terryplumb]

Your metal switch plate should be earthed. So should the metal sockets ,if they aren't already.
Do you have a multimeter or twin probe voltage tester ?

 

[con1_uk]

Hi, yes I have a multimeter, I will get some earth wire and sort that

 

[terryplumb]

The brown insulated conductor that is loose may be the permanent live for the outside light switch. Do you know how to SAFELY use the multimeter on a live circuit to test the loose wire by measuring voltage between it and earth ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Someone has botched that, using the switch wire at the common of the 2-way switch, as the feed to the outside light switch. The later needs a live to be sourced from somewhere.

 

[EFLImpudence]

We really need a picture of the other switch wiring.

 

[con1_uk]

The brown insulated conductor that is loose may be the permanent live for the outside light switch. Do you know how to SAFELY use the multimeter on a live circuit to test the loose wire by measuring voltage between it and earth ?

Hi,

please tell me what to set the meter to and I will test it.

 

[terryplumb]

Meter set to AC voltage . The fact that you need to ask that question is a bit of a worry !! Are you sure you can do this safely ? Probably a good idea to show us a pic of your meter ,on the setting you intend to use.
And a pic of the wiring of the other switch.

 

[con1_uk]

I will post a pic,

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I will post a pic,

AC voltage range and the voltage will be around 240v so a range higher than 240v - probably 500v or 1000v. One meter probe on the wire end, the other on the earth terminal in the back box. You might see a few volts on that wire, as a result of pick up from other wires, you are looking for a voltage of at least 220 to 250v, to be sure it is live.

If it shows as a live, try throwing other switches around the area, to make sure its not just a switched live..

I doubt that wire is a live, judging from the way it has been just folded over and left. As a minimum I would have expected it to be folded over and over taped.

 

[con1_uk]

Hi, sorry it’s been I while. Here is the picture of the other switch

 

[con1_uk]

The switch on the right is the one with the issue