Replacing plastic 2 way switch with a metal switch

[electricquestions]

Hi

I would like to replace a plastic 2 gang, 2 way switch in my kitchen/diner with a metal one.

The photo shows the back of the switch.

The existing switch has the words "COM" at the top and "1 way" red arrow "2 way" green arrow on both switches.

The switch I want to replace it with is a BG flateplate 2 gang, 2 way chrome switch.

I have attached a photo of the back of the new switch. The new switch has a "COM 1" with "L12", "L11". There is also a "COM 2" with "L22", "L21".

Would i be correct in assuming the left (as you look at the photo - black wire with brown sleeve) "COM" from the existing switch is "COM 1" in the new switch? Would the red arrow (which is labelled as "1 WAY") be L11 and would the green arrow (labelled "2 WAY") be L12?

The right (as you look at the photo) "COM" from the existing switch is "COM 2" on the new switch? Would the red arrow (which is labelled as "1 WAY") be L21 and would the green arrow (labelled "2 WAY") be L22?

Could i then wire it up exactly as it is now, with the addition of an earth wire from the metal face plate to the back of the back box?

Thanks

 

[phatboy]

COM1 and COM2 are the same as COM on the old.

Without being able to edit your photo, on the new switch the top COM1 and L11, L12 are for 1 switch, COM2 and L21, L22 are the other switch.

Get the COMs in place, and the other 2 wires for each side are interchangeable... if you get them the 'wrong' way around you will just find that the far end switch is in the opposite position for light being on or off. If it bothers you, reverse L11/L12 or L21/L22.

Hopefully that makes some sense! The new switches labelling isn't that clear, in my opinion.

 

[terryplumb]

Your new switch plate must be earthed ,just in case you don't know.
One way and two way markings on old switch correspond to L1 and L2 respectively.
On the new switch the first digit after the letter( L11 for instance) refers to the switch number 1.
Likewise L21 first digit is switch number 2.

 

[FrodoOne]

I would like to replace a plastic 2 gang, 2 way switch in my kitchen/diner with a metal one.

Well, NO !

You should have written
"I would like to replace a plastic 2 gang, 2 way switch in my kitchen/diner with a similar one with a decorative (?) metal cover",
which "cover is required to be to be Earthed,
as already pointed out by terryplumb.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

The earth connection is explicitly mentioned in the last paragraph of the first post.

 

[phatboy]

Some of the replies here are exactly why people don’t bother asking questions.

Some people have to act all high and mighty, though, sadly

 

[Taylortwocities]

@electricquestions
In case you havent spotted it already. Your existing switches are (obviously) arranged side by side with the two COMs at the top.
The new switch is laid out differently, like this:

The right hand switch is inverted/

 

[EFLImpudence]

...and just to be sure:

with the addition of an earth wire from the metal face plate to the back of the back box?

Assuming all the cables' earth wires are connected to the back of the back box.

 

[electricquestions]

Thank you so much for all the replies. Just to clarify looking at my existing switch the left sided one:

I can take the black wire with the brown sleeve and insert that into "COM 1" in the new switch. I can then take the bottom 2 brown wires (left switch bottom - red arrow) and insert them into L11, followed by inserting the brown and grey wire (left switch bottom - green arrow) into L12. Correct?

I can then do the same for the right switch albeit upside down, together with an earth wire?

 

[electricquestions]

Well, NO !

You should have written
"I would like to replace a plastic 2 gang, 2 way switch in my kitchen/diner with a similar one with a decorative (?) metal cover",
which "cover is required to be to be Earthed,
as already pointed out by terryplumb.

Are you upset due to the omission of the word decorative? How does that affect the validity (or understanding) of my question or more importantly your answer. Genuinely asking as I can't tell how the word decorative helps you answer?

 

[Taylortwocities]

I can then do the same for the right switch albeit upside down, together with an earth wire?

Yes, not forgetting the link wire that will go between L12 and COM2

 

[electricquestions]

Yes, not forgetting the link wire that will go between L12 and COM2

Thanks, in the original switch; the link wire goes from the COM on the right sided switch to "1 WAY" (red arrow) under the COM on the left sided switch. So wouldn't it be a link wire from COM2 to L11 not L12 in the new switch?

 

[terryplumb]

Thanks, in the original switch; the link wire goes from the COM on the right sided switch to "1 WAY" (red arrow) under the COM on the left sided switch. So wouldn't it be a link wire from COM2 to L11 not L12 in the new switch?

Correct.

 

[Taylortwocities]

So wouldn't it be a link wire from COM2 to L11 not L12 in the new switch?

No. The browns in the bottom left terminal is where the permanent live is. If you put the link wire anywhere’s else then the right hand see wet itch won’t have a live in its COM, and it won’t work.
Don’t swop things round or you’ll be needing an electrician. It’s simple at the moment.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Correct.

Are you sure?