No common in new switch Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[comicbookguy]

Guys,

Really hoping someone can help me here, replacing a 2 gang 2 way light switch in the living room with what I thought was the same like for like. Old switch when I have taken it apart has L1 L2 and common, new switch is L1 L2 and L3, could someone please offer some advise, do I have the wrong switch? or is L1 common on these.
I have been through the projects sections and searched the forum but cannot see anything.

yours Hopefully.

[333rocky333]

Do you have a continuity tester

Your old switch should work the same as the new
your old 2 way switch works
switch in position one common and L1 link together
switch in position two common and L2 link together

New one works same just numbered differently

You can work it out from that before you fit it

On the switch are the 3 connections laid out in a stretched triangle format
if so the two closest are the same as your old 1 and 2 and the one alone furthest away is the same as the old common

If more than one wire or links in any of the terminals ensure to keep together the same no matter what the number was or will be .
If its one way and you get terminals mixed up the light will just not turn on or will work in reverse till you correct it,your drawing should say what terminal to use for one way