Any idea how to wire this double lightswitch?

Allan · Sep 7, 2017

Any idea how to wire this double lightswitch?
Picture of current lightswitch that is wired and new lightswitch

telectrix · Sep 7, 2017

ignore the lettering on the new switch and wire up 1 at a time in the same configuration as the old switch. in other words, L1 on old switch is C on new switch. if you get it wrong, the 1 way switch may be upside down ( up for on). if so, just turn it over. make sure the supply is isolated first. can't see it, but i hope there's a gn/y sleeved connection to the back box. this need a (sleeved in gn/y )
fly lead to the earth terminal on your new switch ( the brass bit next to the screw hole ).

Allan · Sep 7, 2017

telectrix said:
ignore the lettering on the new switch and wire up 1 at a time in the same configuration as the old switch. in other words, L1 on old switch is C on new switch. if you get it wrong, the 1 way switch may be upside down ( up for on). if so, just turn it over. make sure the supply is isolated first. can't see it, but i hope there's a gn/y sleeved connection to the back box. this need a (sleeved in gn/y )
fly lead to the earth terminal on your new switch ( the brass bit next to the screw hole ).

Ok so left side exactly the same and right side brown=c and blue = L2 . Or vice versa if wrong.

No theres no earth wired up to the light switches in this house ,im guessing there should be?

Thanks

Andy5678 · Sep 7, 2017

Your new switch requires a cpc to be connected to it

Wilko · Sep 7, 2017

Allan said:
No theres no earth wired up to the light switches in this house ,im guessing there should be?
Thanks

Yes should be. Earth wire may already be connected to the metal back box? (if it is you will be able to see it in there) Or it may exist in the cables but has been cut back. If so, you are better off to get an Electrician in to deal with it and test it afterwards.

Edit : sorry, Tel already advised on earthing

telectrix · Sep 7, 2017

if there is no earth then you can't fit a metal switch. end of.

edit: agree with wilko. might be better to get an electrician to visit and advise.

Leader · Sep 7, 2017

Sometimes it has been bent back so might be behind the back box, can you see the outer grey sheath? Careful if you go routing around though.

telectrix · Sep 7, 2017

going by the cable insulation colours, the cpc's have got to be there. those cables were never manufactured without.

Allan · Sep 8, 2017

telectrix said:
going by the cable insulation colours, the cpc's have got to be there. those cables were never manufactured without.

Just finished work so got time to wire it up.

There is a earth , my bad.

Should i wire this from the box to the switch as per photo?

Cheers

Octopus · Sep 8, 2017

telectrix · Sep 8, 2017

yes. you can either move the cpc from the back box to the switch, or add a fly lead from box to switch. either way is compliant, but the second method is good practice. you would then need to buy a bit of gn/y sleeving.

also, untwist the existing cpc from where it's showing bare copper round the blue conductor.

Allan · Sep 8, 2017

Thanks boys

123 · Sep 8, 2017

Where has the cpc from the 3 Core gone?

telectrix · Sep 8, 2017

123 said:
Where has the cpc from the 3 Core gone?

think it might be twisted in with the cpc from the T/E, hidden behind the blue.

Dave OCD · Sep 8, 2017

There's another pet hate, more than 1 CPC in shared sleeving , and back boxes full of rubble.

Leader · Sep 8, 2017

Dave OCD said:
There's another pet hate, more than 1 CPC in shared sleeving , and back boxes full of rubble.

Plus it makes no sense to me, I've obviously never done it but I can't imaging it's an easier way of terminating them. Surely it's fiddly to get multiple conductors into one sleeve.

telectrix · Sep 9, 2017

Leader said:
Plus it makes no sense to me, I've obviously never done it but I can't imaging it's an easier way of terminating them. Surely it's fiddly to get multiple conductors into one sleeve.

even worse when they're twisted together.