Two way light switch

All electrical lighting questions in here please. Including outside lighting and light switch / dimmer questions.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
Helpmaboab
Newly registered Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:06 am
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Two way light switch

Post by Helpmaboab »

Before fitting the new two way switch, am I correct in thinking that D,E,F go onto the top row of connections on the new switch? All advice would be greatly appreciated.
Attachments
2B2426F4-69E3-481D-97E3-F90EAA923B8A.jpeg
2B2426F4-69E3-481D-97E3-F90EAA923B8A.jpeg (368.63 KiB) Viewed 702 times
User avatar
arco_iris
Senior Member
Posts: 2285
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:27 pm
Location: SW Wales
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 535 times

Two way light switch

Post by arco_iris »

A 2gang, 2way switch is two seperate switches, with one upside down to the other. It is not two rows upper & lower, it is two triangles.

The written schedule doesn't make sense.

It would be of more help if you posted a picture of the back of the switches (old and new), or wrote it out like this:

Old:

L1 L2 / COM
/
COM / L1 L2

New:

COM L2 / L1
/
L1 / L2 COM

Then you would see for yourself.

The slashes represent a diagonal line splitting the two triangles but the forum has ignored the spacing I put in.
User avatar
arco_iris
Senior Member
Posts: 2285
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:27 pm
Location: SW Wales
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 535 times

Two way light switch

Post by arco_iris »

16604736517861981635034053090668.jpg
16604736517861981635034053090668.jpg (114.41 KiB) Viewed 696 times
User avatar
Someone-Else
Senior Member
Posts: 14830
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:03 pm
Has thanked: 48 times
Been thanked: 2605 times

Two way light switch

Post by Someone-Else »

arco_iris wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:33 amA 2gang, 2way switch is two seperate switches, with one upside down to the other. It is not two rows upper & lower, it is two triangles.
That did used to be true, and in some switches it is true, but others it is not the case, so it depends on the switch as to its configuration.

switch.jpg
switch.jpg (14.4 KiB) Viewed 692 times

Above is an MK switch, which is "two singles" side by side in the same orientation.
Above are my opinions Below is my signature.

Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.

:mrgreen: If gloom had a voice, it would be me.

:idea1: Click Here for a video how to add/change pictures


Inept people use the QUOTE BUTTON instead of the QUICK REPLY section :-)
User avatar
arco_iris
Senior Member
Posts: 2285
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:27 pm
Location: SW Wales
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 535 times

Two way light switch

Post by arco_iris »

If you bothered to look at OP's schematic, you'd see he has the upside down type - no need to confuse the poor poster! Especially as probably Scottish.
Helpmaboab
Newly registered Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:06 am
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Two way light switch

Post by Helpmaboab »

Thanks for the feedback I now understand the triangle concept. I’m out at the moment grandchild’s birthday party and will go over all responses when I’m home.
User avatar
Someone-Else
Senior Member
Posts: 14830
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:03 pm
Has thanked: 48 times
Been thanked: 2605 times

Two way light switch

Post by Someone-Else »

arco_iris wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:25 amIf you bothered to look at OP's schematic, you'd see he has the upside down type
I was merely pointing out that what you said is not always correct.
Above are my opinions Below is my signature.

Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.

:mrgreen: If gloom had a voice, it would be me.

:idea1: Click Here for a video how to add/change pictures


Inept people use the QUOTE BUTTON instead of the QUICK REPLY section :-)
Neelix
Senior Member
Posts: 1366
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 1:36 pm
Has thanked: 118 times
Been thanked: 219 times

Two way light switch

Post by Neelix »

Mark the cables with a marker pen, and take photos before you disconnect anything
OnlineOnline
Post Reply

Return to “Lighting”