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Mend D.I.Y, Switches and Sockets

How to wire a double light switch?

Hi, bit new to this so bare with me. I'm changing my current double switch with a new one but thought I knew where the wires go but dont :-S

I have 2 reds, 2 blacks and 2 earth's (which are attatched to the metal casing). my new switch has L1, COM and L2 on both switches. One of the red wires has a sticker saying 'L' or 'i', bit faded but guessing its an L for live.

I got an answer so... So attatch Live to com, then a connecting red wire from com to com and attatch both black wires to the 2 L1 sockets.. right? But then that leaves one red wired... what to do with that?

Btw I have one light working as follows. ON SWITCH 1: Live (I think) to com then attatched red wire from SWITCH 1 com to SWITCH 2 com then other red wire on SWITCH 2 L1. No black wires are attatched to anything. Result is SWITCH 2 works only. :-S

Could anyone please help me? Thanks

Hamid Jivani
January 2010
D.I.Y, Switches and SocketsWire Double Light Switch
Hi I'm trying to wire a new switch at the top of my landing it's a double switch I have 2 yellows 2 blue 3 red 1 black can anyone help as I have tried lots of ways

Andy
August 2010
just wasted my time writing that answer, because i didnt read everyone elses, ritch has got it spot on, ah well maybe next time lol

stoozybhoy
February 2010
if you only have 2 of each colour wire at the switch then all the technical stuff is at the actual light fitting,unless its the end of a radial circuit, so unscrew the light pendant and look to see if theres a lot of wires connected to it if so then just do this, infact there will be because its a double light switch, (just remembered) take the black and red from each cable, put red into common (or com) and black into L1 then repeat with the other, simple.
p.s
no loop between 2 commons is needed

stoozybhoy
February 2010
hi sound connect the two red cables to terminals marked common then the two black wires( which should be tagged up as live also )to the l1 terminals ensuring that each black cable goes to the same switch as its corresponding red this should work ok no link required.

ritch
January 2010
It's dawned on me - perhaps

One switch is one way switching - the other switch is two way switching and has a buddy switch somewhere else in the room/house.

This arrangement will need Live in with a Link to the other switch - Switched live to the single light and a Black/Red Pair running off to the remote switch.

Of course - I could always be wrong - so often am...

Peccavi
January 2010
I would say your lights have been wired "unconventionally".
Unless there is another switch somewhere which controls the same light (the one which isn't working) I don't see what the other black wire is for.

Try:
Red (the one with the sticker) to COM, with the other red in L1 (this seems to work).
Link between two COM terminals.
Black wires in L1 and L2 in the other switch.

If that doesn't work, open up the ceiling rose and decribe what wires you have there.

Adam
January 2010
You failed to mention the link in your original question (below) - the problem now is that whatever you try seems to fail - it may be quicker to summon the services of an electrician - each of the four wires you have needs to be tested or traced to determine what it is and where it goes - the origin - where it terminates.

You are not wiring a double switch - you are attempting to wire two separate switches on the same plate.

"I have 2 reds, 2 blacks and 2 earth's (which are attatched to the metal casing). my new switch has L1, COM and L2 on both switches. One of the red wires has a sticker saying 'L' or 'i', bit faded but guessing its an L for live."

Peccavi
January 2010
Hi Adam, nope, didn't work so gone back to what I did to make at least one switch work tho now got 2 black wires loose :-S

Hamid

Hamid Jivani
January 2010
Yes I remeber a link between the 2 L1's before on the old switch, tho they might have rigged it wrong I dont know but I do know both lights worked before :-S I'm not sure if the link was to generate power the the other switch or not?!

I'll try the way you mentioned and let you know.

Thanks Adam :-)

Hamid Jivani
January 2010
Why are you using a link? Did you have one before?

Connect the red wires to COM, the black wires to L1 and the earth wires to the casing, and nothing else.

Adam
January 2010
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