Need Help with Light Switch Change

[Vayerr]

Hello,

I need some help changing a straight forward light switch in a UK new build house. I have no experience or knowledge of electrics what so ever. I know there's live, neutral and earth/ground and that's it.

With that said, please explain anything in most basic baby English so I can understand...

I have a light on the 2nd floor in master bedroom. It can be operated by a single switch in the bedroom or by a switch on 1st floor landing (this is a double switch - one switch for master bedroom and separate switch/rocker used for the landing light).

So the switch I want to change is the one in the actual bedroom. I've took it off the wall and behind I can see there's following connections:
Top: Com // 1 way
Bottom: Loop // 2 way

My new switch is 1 gang 2 way by LAP from Screwfix and it only has Com, L1 and L2. I've looked everywhere and cannot find anything about the Loop slot. I've attached some pictures.

How can I replace this safely without causing fire or electrocuting someone? (Yes I know that I need to switch the power supply off before doing anything)

Any advice is welcome although I'm not looking for "leave it and contact electrician". I'd rather just return the switch and keep the current one than spend lots of money on this. View attachment 44362 View attachment 44362 View attachment 44363 View attachment 44362 View attachment 44363 View attachment 44364 View attachment 44365 View attachment 44366 View attachment 44367

 

[Vayerr]

For some reason some pictures have duplicated and the website won't let me edit that. Sorry.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Yeah, crack on .

 

[Deleted account]

Yeah, crack on .

Buzz was joking. Please don't.

I hope he was joking.

 

[buzzlightyear]

why do peaple think they can do jobs and still cock it up .

 

[Dillb]

I cant view the photos you have put up for some reason. But if you have any doubt please consult a local electrician. If you post your location there may even be a member on here loca to you who maybe able to help.

 

[Andy78]

I have no experience or knowledge of electrics what so ever.

How can I replace this safely without causing fire or electrocuting someone? (Yes I know that I need to switch the power supply off before doing anything)

I'm not looking for "leave it and contact electrician".

Got nothing to say really apart from, the instructions are in the packet, best of luck.

 

[Spoon]

OP: Use Copy/Paste to paste the photos directly into a post. Sometimes the 'Upload a File' bring up an error.

 

[Pete999]

If you don't know what you are doing DON'T mess with it simple really, get a sparky to swap it for you, it'll save all this faffing about, asking how to do it on an electrical forum, shouldn't cost much.

 

[littlespark]

OP, if you can try and upload the photographs again, it would help.

It could be a very simple job, or it could be complex. We cant tell without photos.

It would be like one of us changing the switch with our eyes closed

 

[Vayerr]

Wow, someone tries to learn something to be independent and be able to do basic things himself instead of relying on others and instead gets lots of s**t... No wonder this country is going down hill...

For those who have actually showed interest in helping, see below link for pictures, and thank you.

Light Switch - https://Upload the image directly to the thread.com/gallery/wbmR4jJ

 

[Vayerr]

In regards to the loop wires, I was briefly told by a friend (electrician) that all I need to get is one of these:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/16a-terminal-strips-pack-of-10/91532

He said they should be between 6A-15A and I can just shove the wires in there, so I went and got them. I managed to get 5A and 15A (and can return them if needed). Is this correct?

 

[Andy78]

Wow, someone tries to learn something to be independent and be able to do basic things himself instead of relying on others and instead gets lots of s**t... No wonder this country is going down hill...

For those who have actually showed interest in helping, see below link for pictures, and thank you.

Light Switch - https://Upload the image directly to the thread.com/gallery/wbmR4jJ

You have displayed questionable competence levels with your posts so far. For professionals to help someone engage in possibly dangerous activities would be remiss, both morally and professionally. Hope you can appreciate that position.

You have a mate who is an electrician. I'm sure he'd help you out for a couple of beer tokens for such a small job. That's the way forward in my opinion.

 

[rsgaz]

the switch I want to change

I'd rather just return the switch and keep the current one

I'm still confused as to why you want to change it, as you seem so happy to just return it anyway and not bother?!?!

 

[Vayerr]

rsgaz, Read the full paragraph rather than focus on a part of it. Maybe you'll understand then

 

[MDJ]

Hello,

I need some help changing a straight forward light switch in a UK new build house. I have no experience or knowledge of electrics what so ever. I know there's live, neutral and earth/ground and that's it.

With that said, please explain anything in most basic baby English so I can understand...

I have a light on the 2nd floor in master bedroom. It can be operated by a single switch in the bedroom or by a switch on 1st floor landing (this is a double switch - one switch for master bedroom and separate switch/rocker used for the landing light).

So the switch I want to change is the one in the actual bedroom. I've took it off the wall and behind I can see there's following connections:
Top: Com // 1 way
Bottom: Loop // 2 way

My new switch is 1 gang 2 way by LAP from Screwfix and it only has Com, L1 and L2. I've looked everywhere and cannot find anything about the Loop slot. I've attached some pictures.

How can I replace this safely without causing fire or electrocuting someone? (Yes I know that I need to switch the power supply off before doing anything)

Any advice is welcome although I'm not looking for "leave it and contact electrician". I'd rather just return the switch and keep the current one than spend lots of money on this. View attachment 44362 View attachment 44362 View attachment 44363 View attachment 44362 View attachment 44363 View attachment 44364 View attachment 44365 View attachment 44366 View attachment 44367

 

[Marvo]

Light switching wiring can be surprisingly complicated because there's numerous different ways any given lighting system can be wired. Colours of light switch wiring often don't follow the usual standards of Red=live and Black=neutral which makes it difficult and possibly dangerous for DIY'ers without test equipment and knowledge of the various wiring schemes.

I'm going to have to close this thead as it falls short of our 'step by step guide' rule.

 

[Marvo]

View attachment 44378

Looking at the excessive wear at the back of your left heel I think you might have a issue with poor posture.