Light switch wiring help

[Whatnext]

Hi, I hope someone may be able to assist.

we've taken off a light switch that has 2 switches, one controls the outside porch light, the other controls the hallway light which also has another switch at the end of the hallway. I purchased a replacement switch -2 gang, 2way. However this doesn't fit as it only has 6 connection holes on the back. The current one has 7, however I cant find a light switch with 7 connections, is it a special one? What kind of switch do I need?
Many thanks.

 

[telectrix]

normally each switch will have 3 terminals. can you post a pic of the old switch?

 

[Des 56]

You have a standard 2 gang,The original switch is probably an intermediate and a 2 way
2 Gang 1 x Intermediate 1 x 2 way Light Switch - Premium White - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLXDQ71S.html

 

[telectrix]

You have a standard 2 gang,The original switch is probably an intermediate and a 2 way
2 Gang 1 x Intermediate 1 x 2 way Light Switch - Premium White - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLXDQ71S.html

well spotted. why didn't i think of that?

 

[saspm]

The other possibility is it is a metal face plate with hole for cpc connections. They mentioned the new one has 6 holes, not 7.

 

[Des 56]

well spotted. why didn't i think of that?

Best I don't reply to that Tel

 

[Whatnext]

Hi, thanks for your replies...I've uploaded a photo of the current switch and wiring.

View attachment 35822

View attachment 35823

 

[saspm]

The switch on the left is a double pole switch, I'm guessing this is the outside light.

If this is the case the blue and black neutral can just be joined together in a wago connector or chocolate block.

 

[Hellmooth]

What Saspm said

 

[telectrix]

here wa go.

 

[Whatnext]

You're right, the left is the outside switch. When we disconnected the top blue wire, the outside light didn't switch on and neither did the light in the kitchen...will that still work to connect the black and blue neutrals with choc block? And then use the 2 gang 2 way? Or do I need the intermediate/2 way switch?
Thank you very much for your help so far.

 

[saspm]

Join the neutrals together

 

[telectrix]

yep. take the neutrals out of the 2 pole switch and join with a connector. top red goes in commonwith link to sw.2. bottom red in L1. then on the 2 way switch, wire same as the old one. just wondering why there are 2 yellows.

 

[Richard Burns]

yep. take the neutrals out of the 2 pole switch and join with a connector. top red goes in commonwith link to sw.2. bottom red in L1. then on the 2 way switch, wire same as the old one. just wondering why there are 2 yellows.

I would say that someone has looked the switch and said "I need line and neutral for the outside light and a line for the the inside light", "I know, I will use three core cable!"