3 gang wiring help

[Hammerandbrush52]

Replacing a 3 gang light switch but I forgot to label the wires when removing the plug. There are 4 brown and 1 black wire. Could someone advise, if I use a multimeter, how to figure out what goes where? 1 light is intermediate and other 2 aren't.
Thank you in advance.

 

[flameport]

An intermediate has 4 wires, and with only 5 wires that leaves 1 for two other switches.
Clearly that isn't going to work.

 

[pete01]

An intermediate has 4 wires, and with only 5 wires that leaves 1 for two other switches.
Clearly that isn't going to work.

It might be the end switch

 

[pete01]

My advice would be get an electrician.

Failing that seperate all the wires put them in individual connector blocks and find the feed using your multimeter(assuming you know how to use it)

Thats a good start

Make sure the power is OFF first obviously

 

[Sureitsoff?]

You haven't got an intermediate switch as part of the three gangs or is that the old switch?

 

[Hammerandbrush52]

You haven't got an intermediate switch as part of the three gangs or is that the old switch?

That is very true. Here is the old switch and clearly not intermediate either. Still don't understand how effectively 3 individual switches can operate with 5 wires.

 

[flameport]

Still don't understand how effectively 3 individual switches can operate with 5 wires.

If it's a 2 way switch and 2x 1 way, then 3 wires are for the 2 way, permanent line is taken from one of the 2 way wires and looped to the other 2 switches common, and the remaining wires are the two switched lines for the other lights.

 

[pete01]

If it's a 2 way switch and 2x 1 way, then 3 wires are for the 2 way, permanent line is taken from one of the 2 way wires and looped to the other 2 switches common, and the remaining wires are the two switched lines for the other lights.

Yes that's what I was thinking, but will L1 or L2 be a permanent line on an intermediate end? I know it would on a 2 way just can't quite get it? Maybe it's late

 

[SUNRAY]

My expectation:

But where to start with the questions you ask is not easy.

EDIT: looking again I see 4 browns and not a grey.

In total I see 4 browns, 2 black and one blue, I think there should be a grey too but it may be cut short.

what wires go to the neutral terminal block, looks like a black and a blue.

Were there any short link wires before?

 

[flameport]

Yes that's what I was thinking, but will L1 or L2 be a permanent line on an intermediate end? I

Could be either or Com
You will need to look at the other switch(es) to see what wiring is used there.

 

[sparkwright]

My expectation:
View attachment 309172
But where to start with the questions you ask is not easy.

EDIT: looking again I see 4 browns and not a grey.

In total I see 4 browns, 2 black and one blue, I think there should be a grey too but it may be cut short.

what wires go to the neutral terminal block, looks like a black and a blue.

Were there any short link wires before?

I assumed the grey was connected to the blue in a connector block, but we can't see it clearly.

 

[sparkwright]

Let's have a clearer picture of the wires at the switch box.

We are just guessing here.

Also tell us what the switches control - we may be able to guess what the letters written on the cables may relate to, which could help.

 

[SUNRAY]

May be a grey there:

I think the cables are marked C or 3 on left then 1 & 2 heading right.

 

[ericmark]

As @SUNRAY says a two way and two singles is possible

I would start by putting all the wires in a choc block so I can power up safely, then test to see which has power, and connect that to all switches.

There are at least two ways to wire two way,

the basic system shown L1 is permanent line, on both switches, checking the other switch should show if that is the method used.

Once line in is identified, then just need to by trial and error find the L1 wire for simple on/off switches, then two remaining are for two way, again trial and error as to which is L2 and which is com.

 

[Hammerandbrush52]

Thanks everyone. I'm at the office today but will take photos this evening with the wires untangled. It controls a bathroom light, outdoor light and kitchen downlights.