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Richey

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Hi, looking to change my 4 gang switch, what I have is 4 grey wires, each with a red and black wire, I've been told by local sparky that each red wire goes into COM, and each black wire(with small red sleeve If that's relevant) goes into L1. However at the moment only the 1st and 3rd switches are wired like this the 2nd and 4th have red wire in L1 and black wires in COM. All switches work the correct way as it stands, I am aware I have to add earth to New metal plate. Another local sparky suggests just copying as it is now, or are both methods correct. Any advice appreciated, I've changed lots of other switches and sockets but don't want to risk anything on my last one.
 
Assuming you are not replacing with a smart switch it sounds straight forward. Any chance of some clear pics.
 
Not sure how to do pics, just putting New brass 4 gang switch on, like I said local sparky says all red into COM, all black into L1 and if any switches work upside move relevant black wires to L2?
 
Do you mean 4 grey cables, one cable to each of 4 one-way switches, each with a red and red-sleeved black core? If so, provided there are no other cables or links between one switch and another, they are four identical switch-drops comprising a permanent line to the switch (red) and a switched line back to the light (red-sleeved black). All the switch does is make or break the connection between the two cores, so as far as the electricity is concerned it does not matter which way round they are connected to the switch terminals. Like the spark you spoke to, as a matter of uniformity I would put them all the same way round.

Different brands of switch differ on which of L1 and L2 completes a circuit when the switch is in the down position. Since your four switches are doing the same job, if one works wrong-way-up they all will. Some people would simply turn the switch plate up the other way, others would move the cables to the other terminal. That probably says something deep about their personalities but I'm no psychologist.
 
Do you mean 4 grey cables, one cable to each of 4 one-way switches, each with a red and red-sleeved black core? If so, provided there are no other cables or links between one switch and another, they are four identical switch-drops comprising a permanent line to the switch (red) and a switched line back to the light (red-sleeved black). All the switch does is make or break the connection between the two cores, so as far as the electricity is concerned it does not matter which way round they are connected to the switch terminals. Like the spark you spoke to, as a matter of uniformity I would put them all the same way round.

Different brands of switch differ on which of L1 and L2 completes a circuit when the switch is in the down position. Since your four switches are doing the same job, if one works wrong-way-up they all will. Some people would simply turn the switch plate up the other way, others would move the cables to the other terminal. That probably says something deep about their personalities but I'm no psychologist.
Classic example of when I get a phone call to ask to sort out the lights because DIY Dave has tried to change 3, 4 Gang switch. Dave presses one switch and the toilet flushes ?
 
All you have is a live in (com) and switched live out (L1)
 
Not sure how to do pics, just putting New brass 4 gang switch on, like I said local sparky says all red into COM, all black into L1 and if any switches work upside move relevant black wires to L2?
The advice above seems correct if you don't know how to post up a photo maybe tell us what make and part number. But by the sound of it you have com, L1 and L2, therefore, red in com black with a red sleeve in L1 and a green/yellow earth flylead to the metal switch.
 

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