Changing Light Switch Issues (Ed.)

[EFLImpudence]

Top row 1 2 -- COM --1 2
Bot row COM - 1 2 -- COM

 

[bernardgreen]

Top row 1 2 ..........COM ......--1 2
Bot row COM...... - 1 2........... COM

 

[col11]

hi the old and the new switches have the same number of holes top and bottom, it should work based on the conversion L1 on old switch matches L21 on new switches so I have clearly mis labelled something when I have written in down. From my notes does anything obvious stand out as looking wrong?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

the old and the new switches have the same number of holes top and bottom

I think you should count again...

 

[terryplumb]

Did you put labels on each of the red wires ,or identify them individually in some way before disconnecting them , at both switch locations ?
Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it ?

 

[col11]

No i didnt label them, I put them up or down so they stayed in the same order. No I dont have a multimeter, I dont know what that is - sorry

 

[JohnD]

Have you still got the old switches?

 

[terryplumb]

In your first picture of the downstairs switch ( viewed from the back),the left switch , apparently for the 2way landing light, appears to have no wire connected to its com terminal. Is that so?
If it is ,the blue and yellow wires that are connected to that switch should have a red wire that originates from the same grey cable as they do. Where is that red wire currently ?

 

[col11]

@JohnD I still have the downstairs one but the upstairs one was the same style - picture above

 

[col11]

@terryplumb I dont think so but let me check tomorrow and I will add the actual L2/L1/COM refer to my original notes and re-add. Too dark now for me to see anything with the electrics off. thanks

 

[terryplumb]

The grey sheathed cable is a 3 core and earth,has a red,blue,and yellow together with a bare copper wire that is the earth and would be sleeved in green/ yellow . That cable runs between the downstairs and upstairs switches for two way operation. So ,in both switches whatever coloured wire from that cable ( red for instance) is connected to com terminal upstairs must also connect to com terminal downstairs. The yellow and blue wires would go to L1 and L2 in the same switches.

 

[boringoldcodger]

Your notes show both switches as having 4 holes across the top and 5 across the bottom.
I can't see the photos of the new switches very well but it looks to me as though the upstairs one has 4 holes across the top and 5 across the bottom.
As JohnD says you have to be very careful about getting the triangles (which form the individual switches) correct.

Hopefully a correction to the above.

Your notes say both switches have 4 holes across the top and 5 across the bottom.
The photos of the new switches seem to show one as being upside down compared to the other.
I'm by no means certain but I believe the downstairs switch is more likely to have 5 holes across the top.

 

[JohnD]

Your notes say both switches have 4 holes across the top and 5 across the bottom.

A total of nine holes, matching three triangular switches, as expected.

 

[SUNRAY]

.

 

[col11]

Hi all, I just wanted to say thank you all for your help. I had to have my sbath piping repaired and the plumber has fixed the lights for me. @terryplumb was spot on the yellow and blue wires were the wrong way round , clearly got myself in a tizz writing my notes but all sorted so thanks again