Light Switch Wiring Problem. Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[madasarustyfish]

Hello, i'm in the middle of replacing my light switches with some nice shiney chrome ones.

In my Lounge I have 3 switches controling the lights, all can switch the lights on and off independantly.
I have so far fitted one which was pretty basic one wire to top, two to bottom.
Then I came to a problem with what I now know was an intermediate switch needed and not a regular one, once I realised I went out and bought the correct switch, two wires top, two wires bottom.... all ok so far.

My problem now is with the third switch....
Its two gang and also controls the landing light from downstairs, I bought a regular two gang switch, each side has one connection on top and two on the bottom....
The switch I am replacing has three on top and three on bottom and all have wires connected.

My question.... is there such a switch available (I cannot find one)
Or how can I arrange the wires to fit the 2 gang regular switch.

Hope someone can enlighten me....

Mad

[kbrownie]

hi mad,
tell me if i'm wrong does your old switch read like this:
At the top reading Left-Right,
com: 1 way: 2way:
At the bottom,
1 way: 2 way: com

And your new switch:
At the top
L: L:
At bottom
L1: L2: L3: L4

If so, Two reds in the com in old, go to L in new. Same way top left com to top left L and bottom right com to top right L .

Your 1 ways are now L1's and 2 ways L2's
so nows it's Bottom left side cables from old to new switch:
The wires in the old 1 way to L1 and old 2 way to L2
and repeat that sequence for the right side.

Hope that makes sense
KB