DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Really don't know much about electrics and only trying to fix a broken socket/switch (a double unit conatining one of each) in the flat we just moved in to.

The switch is the third operating the same light and works but the other two only work when this one is in the on position. if i switch off from the third I cannot swtich on from first or second.

The socket does not work at all.

I have five wires coming into the housing: one blue, one black, one earth and two grey. Having checked the previous configuration I discovered that the blue and brown were live and neutral (not sure which is which) for the socket which is also earthed. The two grey went into the bottom of the switch and the top connection on the switch was connected to the brown connection on the socket.

I am completely clueless as to what I should be doing to correct these problems. I have tried swapping the switch and socket for ones which work elsewhere and so I know the problem is the wiring.

As you can probably tell I need the answers as simple as possible. Really don't want to have to call an electrician to fix a switch!

Thanks

Hi. you cannot have switches for lights connected with sockets except for thro' a fused spur, are you sure this is a light sw.you have & not a sw-fused-spur. IF so it is just a way of supplying lights from a power circuit & is not supposed to be turned on/off like a light sw! Look for flush fuse holder on the front, it should house a 3 or 5A fuse for lights.
If not the case then this all sounds very bad GET SOMEONE QUALIFIED in to look @ it ASAP, By your own admission you don't know what U R doing and this stuff kills, regards SPARX