Multi gang switch: making a swap

[PeterT]

I'm in Singapore but am posting my question here because the electrics here are British based. I have multi-gang switches that seem to have been wired in such a way that the switch on the right is for the lamp on the left etc. I want to swap the switches so that the right-hand switch is for the right-hand lamp etc.

Would it be OK in this two-gang switch to swap the red and black wires around on top, and also swap the red wires around at the bottom?

Two-gang switch

• PeterT
• 9 Dec 2008
• 2

Back exposed sideways

I can try to get another photo if that's too blur. Thanks!

 

[ncoups]

Could always rotate it 180 and screw it back in.

 

[BS3036]

OP said Singapore, not Australia!

Before you swap the wires, find the labels on each terminal, and make sure then that you swap between a terminal on one switch with one on the other switch of the same name.

And keep track of which you have swapped, to make sure you swap each one, and only once. Best is to label each wire before you start.

 

[PeterT]

Could always rotate it 180 and screw it back in.

Then the on-off direction will be reversed ... and this will be even more disorienting that reversed sides!

Okey doke, BS3036, will label. At worst, I'll just trip the consumer unit, won't I? The wife will have something to say if I damage all the electrics!

 

[mattylad]

If you rotate it all 180, then just swap the n/c-n/o connections only it will revert to the correct switching direction.

 

[PeterT]

If you rotate it all 180, then just swap the n/c-n/o connections only it will revert to the correct switching direction.

Thanks, mattylad. But I'm sorry, I don't understand n/c-n/o connections ...

 

[mattylad]

draw a little piccy of what you have, mark the wires & the drawing.

Then just swap them over from the left one to the right one & visa versa.

Treat each switch separately & do not mix wires from one switch with the other. (unless one is linked into the other, in which case it can be left).

Can't quite see on the pic what goes where, can you get a better focused picture that shows more from the back? (pull the red wire down a bit to show the black)?

 

[PeterT]

Can't quite see on the pic what goes where, can you get a better focused picture that shows more from the back? (pull the red wire down a bit to show the black)?

Here are a couple more pictures with a new camera - clearer, I hope.

Two-gang switch

• PeterT
• 13 Dec 2008
• 1

Turned down

Two-gang switch

• PeterT
• 13 Dec 2008
• 1

Turned down, a closer view

Here's a diagram - sorry, the earth wires are drawn wrongly (but I'm assuming they needn't be touched).

Switch

• PeterT
• 13 Dec 2008
• 1

Where should R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and B go?

Very busy with choir for Nine Lessons & Carols and away next week, so might not respond immediately.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[333rocky333]

All the reds that are linked together leave where they are,

the single red and the single black , swop over with each other between the same two terminals.

Isolate the power first

 

[PeterT]

Oh, as easy as that! I'll have a go now. Thanks, rocky.

Afternote: SUCCESS! Thanks, folks. I have two more switches, three-gang ones, one involving a two-way switch. Will tackle those later.

Second afternote: I've adjusted three other switchplates using the principle of only changing the wires on top. Worked every time. Thanks, chaps! Most grateful, and have a happy Christmas.