Electrical switch help

[basicdiy]

Hi,

I have just bought a number of electrical switches for my hall way. All seem straightforward to change over apart from one. It is a single switch in a hallway there are two other switches that control the same lights but their wiring seems straightforward. The switch I want to replace has 4 wires but the replacement switch only has 3 ports COM 1WAY 2WAY. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

what you need is an intermediate switch. the one you have bought is a 2 way, like the others which you have managed with. just take the 2 way back and exchange for an intermediate. this will have the 4 terminals required.

 

[telectrix]

the imtermediate willprobably have terminals marked L1,L2,L3,L4. it's basically a crossover switch. in position 1, L1 will connect to L3 and L2 to L4. switch it over and you get L1 - L4 and L2 - L3, thus turning the light on or off. to comply fully with wiring regs., all the black cables should be sleeved with red as they are not neutrals but either lives or switched lives.

 

[basicdiy]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

 

[telectrix]

and, just seen from the pics; if those switches are metal faceplates, you must take a fly lead from the earth terminal on the back box (green/yellow) and connect to the earth terminal on the switch itself.

 

[basicdiy]

Thanks will do

 

[Rpa07]

Well done Tel. One happy and contented customer. Concise and professional - now have yourself a beer 'cause when you answered this it wasn't beer o'clock!

 

[telectrix]

Well done Tel. One happy and contented customer. Concise and professional - now have yourself a beer 'cause when you answered this it wasn't beer o'clock!

if we ever meet, i'll hold you to that beer.

 

[Rpa07]

I'll serve you that beer if we ever meet!