Two Gang Two Way Switch Misery

[cube_inhabitor]

Hi there,

After upgrading a 2 gang, 2 way switch recently the switch refused to work even though I was careful to note the common and L1 and L2 colours and connect them to the new switches. I was just connecting like with like so cannot understand why it doesn't work. Does anyone have any ideas please?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yes - you've wired it wrongly. Or possibly broken a conductor.

Have you looked at the reference section to see how 2-way circuits are wired? Are you sure you've properly matched up L1/L2/etc between old & new switches? Do you have a multimeter so that you can test which conductors are live and when?

What does "doesn't work" mean? No lights at all with any combination of switch positions?

 

[cube_inhabitor]

I cannot get either of the lights to work connected to either switch.

I haven't tested them with a Multimeter (my next test on the list) but I have looked at the diagrams on the site and am pretty sure that I've connected them correctly.

I was wondering if there was a change in wiring procedures from the old switch and the new one (although the connections appear identical).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

There are no standards (AFAIK) for the labelling of L1/L2/L3/COM, nor how they are laid out on the back of 2-gang switches.

I suggest you use your multimeter to identify which terminals are which.

 

[cube_inhabitor]

That's interesting. I assumed since they were both MK switches that they would follow the same rules for connection.

I'll test things out with the meter and see if I can shed any light on the matter.

Thanks for your help so far...

 

[MANDATE]

I note your'e dealing with a 2 gang 2 way switch. You may find the connections a little strange, because one of the switches is inverted.
Reading across the top will be com - L1 - L2 ,reading across the bottom will be L1 - L2 - com, so make sure your using the top com with the bottom L1/L2.
No doubt the insulation has been removed from the wire to make the connections but its quite easy to push the wire in too far and the securing screw comes down on the insulation instead of the wire.