Complete Novice trying to install new 2 Gang Light Switch - please help!!!

[Chrisl]

Hi guys,

I am completly stuck, I am replacing my Kitchen Light Switches with new Chrome switches, I thought it would be just a quick straight forward swap, how wrong could i be!!

There are 2 separate lights in the kitchen on a 2 gang switch, indepently controlled by the same switch (2 buttons). After removing the current swicth, its an old tenaby switch and there are 3 conectors on the top and 3 on the bottom and 7 wires + earth.

The new switch as 2 holes/connectors on the bottom (both saying common) and 4 holes on the top (L1/L2/L1/L2) - Obviously very differnt to original switch

I presume the 2 lights have 2 cables each, one red and one black, I am then left with 3 remaining wires, one blue, one yellow and one black, i also presume blue is neutral, not sure which is the live feed?

Doesnt anyone have any idea how the heck I wire this lot up as I dont have a clue and dont fancy blowing myself up!!

Any help with be much appreciated!!

Thanks

 

[glasgospark]

jesus christ *******

mate if u feel confident do it fire away if not call a spark tell them youv took switch cover off and cant figure out new switch connections £40 shaating

doing yourself make sure u take flying lead earth to earth point on switch feeds to com if only one feed you can loop between the 2 com points , switch wire to the 2 seperate L1 points

 

[glasgospark]

im in glasgow ill come and do it for you £30 per hour travel there and back and ill fit switch for free

 

[telectrix]

and if he electrocutes hisself, who's his family going to blame, him or the guys that told him how to do it by guessing. suppose he could buy an MFT for £500, then he's got a chance of doing it right. i'm out.

 

[glasgospark]

lol teletrix been on that wacky stuff again chill out bud

 

[glasgospark]

why does a high % of sparks on these forums act like they are managing director of everything electrical
"my life is electrics i love electrics i divorced my wife lost my house for my electrical forum I AM ELECTRICS

 

[telectrix]

i'm well chilled, mate. just don't see the point of flogging a dead horse. if it were a simple job within a diy'ers capability, by all means advise, but in this situation, not knowing how it's been wired, whether there's a cpc or not with metal faceplates, as i said before, get a spark or some candles.

 

[glasgospark]

I didnt tell him how to connect HIS switch in HIS kitchen i said

if theres 2 seperate lights on a 2 gang 1way then you need a feed in to both coms and switch wire to l1

 

[decolad69]

why does a high % of sparks on these forums act like they are managing director of everything electrical
"my life is electrics i love electrics i divorced my wife lost my house for my electrical forum I AM ELECTRICS

The question is does it love you .......................

 

[Octopus]

what!!!! Jesus, the swiches were a fiver off ebay (which i got over a month ago), an hours rate plus call out for a sparky is what £50-£100..... to fit a switch!! Come one guys, I am beginning to think there is a conspirious here, whats the point in having a forum when the only guidance is to call a sparky to fit a switch!

Its a forum for professionals and as you didn't mark up the cables before you took the old one off you are a little bit up the creek without a paddle.

Now you could start guessing, and if you've a old rewireable fuse board make sure you have plenty of spare 5A fuse wire.

Out of interest what do you do for a living and do you give your skill away??

 

[glasgospark]

The question is does it love you .......................

dont think you got the meaning of that post dingbat

 

[telectrix]

i got the meaning. the word pointless springs to mind.

 

[glasgospark]

i got the meaning. the word pointless springs to mind.

your involvement in this thread = pointless

 

[telectrix]

is your alter ego rab c. nesbitt, by any chance? you sound like him.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

To the OP, most electricians have some expensive test equipment that they use to ensure they haven't got it wrong, (yes even we can get it wrong, but this is what the test equipment and the knowledge of how to use it is for). The only test you will have is when you switch it on and you and it go "BANG", sometimes there is no going back from that.

 

[glasgospark]

is your alter ego rab c. nesbitt, by any chance? you sound like him.

hmmm no