Fitting 2 way dimmer switch

ZINXYX

Here is a foto

DVardysShadow

ZINXYX wrote: »

The brown wire is not conected to the switch box at all it was used to connect the two terminals.
Thanks for your help and patience.

But we have already agreed that there are 3 terminals.

Wires, cables now 2 or 3 terminals. I can feel the hackles rising at the pedanticism .... But your descriptions need to be as accurate as the answers you expect.

ZINXYX

Ok ,
I have three cables coming out of the box. one green and two grey. The green one seems to be connected to one of the grey ones. which in turn has two red wires sticking out, one of which has been sheathed with black
tape. The other grey cable has two red wires sticking out. The brown wire was used to connect the terminals(ie L1 to L1) on the switch. Hope it is clear enough.Thanks

Edit: The wires from the green cable has on wire each connected to one of the grey cables.

YorkshireBoy

Is the photo of the old switch wiring?

Does the old one have a separate switch and dimmer control? ie you turn it on with a switch and then control it with the dimmer?

ZINXYX

The foto is of the new which I tried to replicate from the old. There are two switches which we push and turn to control one set of chandelier lights each.

YorkshireBoy

I'm having great difficulty making sense of what you're typing.

Post up 4 photos (smaller and clearer) of:

Old switch front
New switch front
Old switch rear
New switch rear

DVardysShadow

The green cable is actually green sleeving containing a wire or wires from one or more grey cables [you don't connect cables, you connect wires]. And if your new switch has a brass body, you need to connect a wire in green sleeving from the terminal in the back box where the green sleeved wires go to the terminal on the metal faceplate of the switch. That won't make it work, but it will earth it safely.

Now I am assuming that when you describe this as a 2 way switch, you mean a 2 gang switch which operates 2 different lights - 2 way means 2 switches operating the same light. Actually if your switch has COM, L1 and L2, it is a 2 gang 2 way switch. So, the red wire which connects to the brown on L1 is the common supply and the other 2 reds are the switched live wires back to the 2 different lights. These must go on COM.

ZINXYX

DVardysShadow wrote: »

The green cable is actually green sleeving containing a wire or wires from one or more grey cables [you don't connect cables, you connect wires]. And if your new switch has a brass body, you need to connect a wire in green sleeving from the terminal in the back box where the green sleeved wires go to the terminal on the metal faceplate of the switch. That won't make it work, but it will earth it safely.

Now I am assuming that when you describe this as a 2 way switch, you mean a 2 gang switch which operates 2 different lights - 2 way means 2 switches operating the same light. Actually if your switch has COM, L1 and L2, it is a 2 gang 2 way switch. So, the red wire which connects to the brown on L1 is the common supply and the other 2 reds are the switched live wires back to the 2 different lights. These must go on COM.

Yes, these are 2 gang.

YorkshireBoy

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Now I am assuming that when you describe this as a 2 way switch, you mean a 2 gang switch which operates 2 different lights...

My thoughts exactly. That's why I asked for more photos...because the words aren't working!

ZINXYX

I am getting ready to post the 4 pics you requested.
Thanks