Replacing old 2-way light switch

[stomper]

My wife requires me to replace an old (quite yellow!) 2 way switch. It works fine in conjunction with a similar (but not yellow) switch at the other end of the hall.

I bought a new 2 way switch from Wickes which has the 3 required connections. In terms of layout the new switch "Common" is at the top.

Upon removing the old switch this also has 3 connections but the "Common" is one of the pair at the bottom. The circuit was probably originally installed in the 60's.

I assume I need to connect the old (bottom) common into the new switch (top) common. Does it matter which way round the others go into the other 2 connections in the new switch? Many Thanks for any advice.

 

[breezer]

if the common is at the bottom (never heard that one before) then yes the common wire should go to the common at the top, it does matter which other wire goes in L1 & L2, if you get it wrong its nothing major, its just that switch works as if it is upside down.

Just incase (and to humor me) mark each wire (say 1,2 &3 ) and make a drawing of which goes where, any probs then we can say ah, cable 1 should go to.........

 

[stomper]

Thanks for that. Changed the switch and all OK. Just to confirm I dismantled the old switch and sure enough the common was one of the pair at the bottom. Never seen that before. Best Regards.

Stomper.