Replacing 2 way Switch on Landing Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[mharv]

The old two way switch has a broken rocker and would like to replace the switch with a new one... bought from Wickes.

The wiring of old switch is as follows:

cable 1 consisting of Red to Top Left Common
Black to bottom centre

Cable 2 consisting of Black to top centre
Red to top right (2) 1 way

Cable 3 consisting of Blue to top centre
Yellow to top right (2) 1 way
Red to bottom right Common

How do i connect these cables to the new switch which has the following
layout on the back:

Top are Com for both switches
Below are 1 way and 2 way on both switches

Can't find a new switch like to old one for connecting the wires up...
any help greatly appreciated

[sparx]

Hi, one cable that is not doing 2 way switching goes red in one common term say Left, its black goes to L1 of left half of sw.(L2 unused.)
the red that is in common of other sw. goes to common of right sw.
other twin red/blk go as before one in L1 & other in L2, remaining 2 of 3 core, yel to red in L1 & blue to join blk in L2,
forget the layout of sw. remember they are 2 seperate 3 term sw.s on one plate just as b4 just set out in different order.
If 1 way sw. operates upside down then move blk from L1 into L2 instead.
projects forum has both 1 way & 2 way wiring diagrams in colour to help. regards SPARX

[mharv]

Sparx thanks for the info.... wired up like you said but the landing light was permantly on.... (only two wires needed changing and it worked :D )

I wired it up as follows after deducing what cables did what..

Cable One (bathroom light and fan)

Red Left Top Common
Black to Bottom 1 Way
tested this by itself and worked fine

For Landing Light controlled from downstairs and landing connected to right side (as you said)

Cable Two (cable for light??)

Red to Right side 1 Way
Black to Right side 2 Way

Cable Three (cable with power extra wire colour yellow from downstairs for switching On??)

Red to Top Right Common
Yellow to Right side 1 Way with Red from Cable Two
Blue to Right side 2 Way with Black from Cable Two

The light works fine from switches downstairs and upstairs for the landing;
well pleased and many thanks Sparx for your time and info, i owe you a beer :wink:

[sparx]

Hi mharv,
always pleasing to get a good result, don't always get feedback so wonder about what happened....did he die ....did I give duff info etc.
Will collect pint next time in town, Ta! regards SPARX