Replacing lightswitch

[RandomGrinch]

Sleeve the exposed copper of the earth conductor when doing the rest of the work

Hopefully, there won't be any exposed copper - after the earth conductor has been moved to the earth terminal on the new metal faceplate

 

[blup]

Hopefully, there won't be any exposed copper - after the earth conductor has been moved to the earth terminal on the new metal faceplate

What about the flylead?

 

[RandomGrinch]

What about the flylead?

As with all these 'should we earth the backbox' threads, I'm happy with the IET guidance...

 

[Rash55]

Hi, done the previous light switch successfully. Got another one I need some help with please.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Can you see two triangles in the old switch and two triangles in the new switch - albeit one is upside down?

Just swap the wires

 

[opps]

As with all these 'should we earth the backbox' threads, I'm happy with the IET guidance...

View attachment 331877

As a decorator that often has to deal with metal back boxes that are slightly proud- backfilling to accommodate thin metal flush profile plates, I am always grateful when the electrician has run an earth to the back box.

Particularly when very short fixing screws have been used.

Franky, I don't understand why any electrician wouldn't spend an extra 3 minutes running a lead to the back box (bar cost/profit).

 

[Rash55]

The back box is plastic….would I remove the connector block of the earth wire and insert into the earth terminal of the new metal face plate?

 

[opps]

The back box is plastic….would I remove the connector block of the earth wire and insert into the earth terminal of the new metal face plate?

Yup.

 

[DizzyDan1980]

Hi all. I've also bought the same two way switch as the last person that posted pics. Can I swap this for my existing one, and if possible which wires would go where to do so? Thanks in advance.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Don't mix up the single red. The other two can go either way round. Mark them before you disconnect.

 

[DizzyDan1980]

Don't mix up the single red. The other two can go either way round. Mark them before you disconnect.

View attachment 352185

Thanks. I tried this, but it doesn't work right. The left hand switch on the new socket is connected to my bathroom light. The right hand switch powers my hallway light, and there is also a 2nd single switch elsewhere in the hallway that turns on the hallway light as well.

When connected as above, the 2nd single switch doesn't work correctly. Not sure how I can correct this.

At least in the worst case scenario, if I can't figure it out, I have pics of the wiring to the original switch, so can just put that back for now and get someone out to do it.

I'm usually fine changing light switches, but always get confused when it's a multiple switch circuit.

 

[SUNRAY]

Thanks. I tried this, but it doesn't work right. The left hand switch on the new socket is connected to my bathroom light. The right hand switch powers my hallway light, and there is also a 2nd single switch elsewhere in the hallway that turns on the hallway light as well.

When connected as above, the 2nd single switch doesn't work correctly. Not sure how I can correct this.

At least in the worst case scenario, if I can't figure it out, I have pics of the wiring to the original switch, so can just put that back for now and get someone out to do it.

I'm usually fine changing light switches, but always get confused when it's a multiple switch circuit.

Send us a picture of what you have done that doesn't work from slightly further backso we can see the cables (the white or grey sheaths)

 

[DizzyDan1980]

Send us a picture of what you have done that doesn't work from slightly further backso we can see the cables (the white or grey sheaths)

Thanks. The sheaths are pretty much non existant. Like everything else in this housing association property, everything's a bit of a bodge job.

But the wires are wired exactly as the diagram EFLImpudence sent. I put a piece of masking tape around the single red wire so I can easily identify it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

What I called the single red, is the red wire that comes from the same cable as the blue and yellow.

Is that the one you have taped?

 

[DizzyDan1980]

Ah ok. I misunderstood. Think I've got it now. There's two red wires coming from a white sheath and a red, blue and yellow coming from a grey sheath. It's the red wire from the grey sheath that you meant by the single red wire.