DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi everyone if someone could guy me that would be great.

I am just replacing this light switch with a new one, but on opening it up all the wires are red.

One switch is for the hallway light.
One switch is for the upstairs landing light, which can also be controlled from the switch on the upstairs landing.
One switch is for the outside light.

Its a 1980's house which I have just moved into, is it normal for this kind of wiring to be all red? If it is of any use, the hallway light is a wall light and does not have a ceiling rose.




Many thanks

Believe it or not, but using all red wires is how it should be done. The reason it isn't is because double red is not as easy to obtain, so most would use standard red and black, and the black should have a red marking on it to indicate it is live.

Changing the switch is actually easier than you think.
The switch you have is known as a 3 gang 2 way switch.
The switch you need to buy MUST BE 3 gang 2 way (Yes the same configuration)

You buy an indelible pen (black) (Or a self-adhesive label maker)

You mark each wire with a number OR number of rings
Each number is one more than the previous number
In the case of the "link wires" treat it as two separate wires so each end gets a different number.

Then take a few more pictures showing where each numbered wire is.
(You take several pictures so you can see all the wires)
Then you look at the switch it will have markings such as C, L1 & L2 or it may be L1, L2 & L3 Make sure you take another picture with your now marked wires showing the marks on the switch with the wires still in place.

Make sure ALL the pictures are in FOCUS (if not delete and take again)

Your new switch will also have markings

Turn the electricity off and swap the two switches over.

Your new switch could have either configuration of numbers, it will not have both.

For your reference

C = L1
L1 = L2
L2 = L3

You may be lucky and the new switch will have the same markings as the existing switch.

Dear Mr White,

Thanks so much for your help. I am am being dumb, but I don't understand this bit

For your reference
C = L1
L1 = L2
L2 = L3

I have the correct light switch replacement of which I have attached an image:



Many thanks