Any electricians on here?

[Drummond Base]

Found something odd when changing a light switch in a new (under 10 years) build house.

Thanks

[Chris_Blue]

5 year time served indentured app, then moved into Telecommunications

[Drummond Base]

Ok, thats 5 year time served indentured app more than me. So replacing a double light switch, one switch turned on and off an outside light, the other turns on and off a hall light.
That hall light can be turned on and off by a second double switch that can also turn on and off a landing light.
Behind the door double switch there are two bundles of wires,
One bundle has 2 x Brown, 1 x Blue and 1 x Black
Second bundle has 2 x Brown
There was also a short piece of Brown wire that had bridge some part of the set up.
The landing light is fine in all of this and turn on and off fine by the second double switch.
Whatever way around i try i cant get it all to work properly, either outside light and no hall light or hall light from the first double but not the second, and pretty much every permutation in between.

Before you ask, no i didnt see how they came of the old light as they all sort of popped off and i couldn't be 100% certain of how they went back on.
The new switch is a normal two way with COM, L1 and L2 on both sides.

[Chris_Blue]

Dont do sparking any more

The colours dont signify much TBH
You may well need an intermediate switch, which is one positioned between 2 x 2 way switches

2 way switching can be a nightmare, you have to be there to prove the wires ie see what does what
2 of the wires on a 2 way system are strappers

Should be a feed wire, and a return switch wire, then strappers, can be any colour but must be synced other end

[Drummond Base]

I've put the new switch on the wall with 50% functionality. I think IL pop into an electrical shop next week when I'm off. Cheers Chris.

[Chris_Blue]

if you were more local, would come have a look.
mind you , the dogs look painful

If you keep playing around you will get there in the end- its just a pain
Just dont short the live out with a neutral, but you shouldnt have a neutral there (Usually black or blue)

[Drummond Base]

No, it's just 2x COM, 2 x L1 and 2 x L2

[Chris_Blue]

Yes- 2 x COM (Common to both switches) should be the strappers- 2 wires which go between the 2 switches, identified by colour

Then one L1 will be the permanent live to the switch, then the other switch L2 will be the wire that goes to the light. The light will then have its own neutral which normally shouldnt go via the switch

[Drummond Base]

Yes- 2 x COM (Common to both switches) should be the strappers- 2 wires which go between the 2 switches, identified by colour

Then one L1 will be the permanent live to the switch, then the other switch L2 will be the wire that goes to the light. The light will then have its own neutral which normally shouldnt go via the switch

Im not at home at the mo but will upload a pic tomoz.

[Chris_Blue]

Im not at home at the mo but will upload a pic tomoz.

OK, But if the switch is faulty, then it could be wired up correct and still not work
The switch that works, you could swap for the wiring that goes to the switch that doesnt work and see if it works...if you get my drift

[Drummond Base]

Thats the point, i tried the switch that did work but cant remember exactly what wires went where and with the colours not making sense it doesnt help

[Chris_Blue]

Youve mixed up the strappers (Commons) which are the 2 wires that go between the 2 switches.