2 switches 1 light confusion

[sparkwright]

He does say the bridge went from L1 to L1 on the old switches which I am dubious about.

On a Crabtree switch, for example, L1 is common.

 

[kainechris83]

thanks everybody for all your help and advice, shall sort it in the morning now as its getting dark. the diagrams are a great help . shall keep you all posted

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Chris - you clearly have no idea how lighting circuits are wired, how switches work, or even what the difference is between a switch and a socket. WOE made you think that it would be OK for you to fiddle with your wiring?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

i have tried a couple of combinations with the other switches, the best i could get was it working turning on and off but the single switch pic 2 and 3 had to be in the switched-on position for this to happen, i would put the old switches back on but i chucked them yesterday

Do you really think that guesswork, trial and error, hoping to hit on the right combination by chance is a sane way to be dealing with electrical wiring?

Basically you have to choose between Plan A and Plan B.

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  • http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+lighting+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index
• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Check for circuit continuity, switches working etc.
• Connect everything up properly.

PLAN B:

• Get an electrician.

There are some irresponsible people here who will tell you that there is a Plan C, which is to start trying different things without really knowing what's going on, hoping to get it working by luck, or by blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without any idea as to why. Please don't listen to them - you must know what, and truly understand what, you are doing.

Electrical-installation-by-guesswork is a foolish idea.

There is no Plan C for anybody sensible.

 

[bhm1712]

Owned by B-A-S I was !

 

[sparkwright]

Based on what's been said, at the 2 gang switch it would appear one twin cable contains the supply live, and the live to the outside light.
The other twin cable are the 'strappers' to the 1 gang switch.

At the 1 gang switch, the twin cable is the 'strappers' from the downstairs switch.
The remaining single cable go to the hall light.

Can easily tell you where to put each wire - but of course it would be classed as guesswork.

 

[securespark]

And we couldn't have that now, could we boys and girls?

 

[kainechris83]

You thinking like this TaylorTwoCities?

this worked perfectly , thanks ever so much for your advice