No Light at the end of the Tunnel

[oohtommygaynor]

Have seen the advice to PeterCFC but.........

I am changing a 1 way 2 gang switch (ie 2 switch unit for 2 different lights in the kitchen). Same as him I think.

I drew a diagram but am now plumbing the depths of uncertainty.

There are three cables 3 with red/black/greenyellow.
(one of the reds has a loop which I am assuming is the live feed).

My problem is that only the 3 red wires were connected to the previous switch unit and although I have tried the live into the 2 "com" and the other reds into L1/L2 (as per previous).

All of the black/earth wires go into a connector

The switch does not work at all and all but 1 of the lights on the same circuit also now do not work.

1. It can't be fusebox as one light is still working?
2. Should these black wires be connected somewhere else?
3. Does live feed go to the 2 coms and the other reds L1?
4. Luckily the extractor fan lite is working so the missus can still cook the sausages!
5. Might it be a problem with the light that is working??

 

[BR]

Lets clarify this, Originally all of the black wires were tied together using a connector and the earths likewise? If this is the case they should remain like this in the new setup, although this would lead be to believe that you have neutrals connected in the back of you switch, which is unusual.

I am guessing so, that of your three reds one is a live feed for the two switches and the others are the switch wires for the two lights.

How old is your house? A photograph of this switch would really help.
You could also check the ceiling roses of the working light & other lights, which are not working and post what you find here. It is difficult to say what kind of a lighting system you are using from the info you have given.

 

[breezer]

more clarification please

you say 3 cables, but only 3 wires, or are you saying there are 3 cables, each with 3 wires or something else?

and what have you changed, the light fitting itself or just the switch or both

also these 3 blacks where were they before you started, connected to what?

 

[oohtommygaynor]

Cheers for coming back.

BR
Blacks/earths.
Yes all these not connected into the switch but all into a connector

Reds
Yes that's what I thought.

House
Is 7 years old. Sorry no digi camera today will try and get one tomorrow.

Breezer
Wire/Cables
Yep, 3 cables each with 1 x red/black/greenyellow wire inside. I'm assuming one is from live feed and the other 2 go to the lights themselves.

Changes
Have changed the light fitting as well as the switch but that was working fine, prior to the switch change.

Blacks
All the black wires connected into the same connector as the earths.


I have compared this my fitting to another similar switch in the hall but that has a different set up with blue into com and a yellow into L2. Bit late now but will check with some of the neighbours tomorrow and let u know.

Cheers . nite.

 

[supersparks]

Blacks
All the black wires connected into the same connector as the earths.
rare that you have a TN-c supply

 

[breezer]

I will assume that all blacks are in 1 connector and all earths in another.

mark the 3 reds 1, 2, & 3 respectivly (doesn't matter which is which we need it for reference, i will call them r1.........)

Put R1 into common of one switch
put R2 into L1 of SAME switch
put another choc bloc on R3

turn mains on, does switch / light work (hopefully not, trust me)

IF NOT working do this (turn mains off)

Put R1 into L1 of SECOND switch
leave R 2 where it is

Put R3 into C of switch 1
Put link between C of first switch and C of 2nd switch

all done
_____________________

If it DOES work (damn)

do this switch mains off

Take R2 out (should be still in L1)
Put R3 where R2 was (L1 of first switch)

switch mains on, does the other light now work? or neither



If neither switch mains off

put R3 in L1 of one switch and R1 in L1 of other switch put R2 in common of one switch and link to other common

All done

-----------------------------------------

If after trying second "lot" and other light now works

switch mains off.

Take R2 out and put in L1 of other switch

Link commons together (R1 should still be in common)


all done

______________________________________________

You may have to read several times but it will work, so long as you do it as per each step

 

[oohtommygaynor]

Ta - will try at home l8er and advise.

 

[oohtommygaynor]

None of those worked, mainly because the light that was working was wired up incorrectly!

All ok now cheers very much for your help