2 way switch wiring.

[hilts1967]

I'm sure this is a simple answer for you experts on here.
I have an old 1 gang 2 way switch (pic 1) that has a red wire to L1 a red wire to L2 a black wire to L1 and a black wire to L2 that's 4 wires to 4 connections.
The new switch (pic 2) only has 3 connections 1 2 and COM. Do the black wires go in 1 and 2 and both the red wires go in the COM or do I need to get another switch ?

Thanks in advance.

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[arco_iris]

Assuming that the brass switch has just one toggle on the front, what is it used for, where in your house, as it is clearly marked INT suggesting it is an intermediate switch, this would usually be used on a hall, stairs and landing setup with three or more switches in total.

On the other hand, the MK switch is a conventional 1 gang, 2 way switch.

See here.

[Someone-Else]

The switch you have is NOT a 1 gang 2 way. It is a one gang Intermediate switch, you need to buy another intermediate switch.


An intermediate switch is used in-between two two-way switches. In other words you have a light(s) that you can switch on / off from say the start of a hall, then another switch in the middle of the hall, and a 3rd switch at the far end of the hall


Look at it this way. If a switch with 3 terminals can be used, why would someone go to the expense of buying a switch with 4 terminals if only 3 terminals will do the same job. (Rhetorical question)

arco_iris types faster than me.

[hilts1967]

The switch controls the upstairs landing light that is also controlled from a 2 gang 2 way switch downstairs.
So just to confirm I need a 1 gang 2 way intermedia switch ?

Cheers.

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[hilts1967]

Is this the one I need.

https://www.toolstation.com/mk-light-sw ... kIQAvD_BwE

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[Someone-Else]

Quite some time ago we had someone on this forum ask the same as you have, they also said the light only has two switches, it was pointed out to them that the wiring configuration is such that there must be 3 switches, a few posts later and it was confirmed that in his case there is another switch that he hardly ever uses.
You have the same he did............

Yes the switch you have linked to will work if you connect it as you have listed.

[hilts1967]

Whoops.
Yes you a perfectly right. I have just realised that there is in fact another switch that controls the light so 3 in total.
Problem solved.

Thanks for all your help [emoji106]

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[Someone-Else]

(If you want to swap the other switches, they will be the same as the second switch you showed a picture of.)

[arco_iris]

(If you want to swap the other switches, they will be the same as the second switch you showed a picture of.)

^^ only for the other landing switch.

....that is also controlled from a 2 gang 2 way switch downstairs.

This will need, as you say, a 2 gang 2 way switch.

To clarify, IF replacing all:

The one you are replacing, 1g intermediate,
Upstairs other, 1g2w,
Downstairs, 2g2w

[hilts1967]

So I got an intermediate switch wired both the same 1 and 2 wires. Now I can switch the upstairs light on and off from downstairs but can only switch the light on and off from upstairs if downstairs switch is on.
The new switch as the 1 and 2 horizontally.
Can't belive how much messing thus is [emoji36]

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[hilts1967]

The old switch was 1 and 2 vertically

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[arco_iris]

I have an old 1 gang 2 way switch (pic 1) that has

a red wire to L1
a red wire to L2

a black wire to L1 and
a black wire to L2

Have you followed your own notes?

Are each pair of red & black wires in an outer covering and which pair went to which terminals on the old switch? Did you make a note or take a picture?

All an intermediate switch does is bridge two connections at each of the other switches, so just swap over any two wires (power off of course) then test until you get it working.

[hilts1967]

Right then. The old brass switch was wired with red to L1 and L2 one above each other and black to L1 and L2 one above each other.
The new switch is wired with red to L1 and L2 side by side and black to L1 and L2 side by side.
See pics.
I have swapped the reds round and blacks round but still all 3 switches wont all work on and off just 2 work .

Do i need to wire the new switch the same as the brass switch ? But then there will be reds in terminal 1 and blacks in terminal 2

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[Someone-Else]

Which switch does not work? (I am beginning to think you have swapped a red and black)

[arco_iris]

Could be as s-e says, have you noticed that on the bottom left hand side of the old switch picture, there is a wiring diagram of what the old switch did? Maybe the new MK switch doesn't work in the same way.