Replacing light switch L1, L2, L3

dancelikeamonkey

Hi. This is hopefully a simple question...

I have replaced a double dimmer switch with a normal double light switch and it's working fine, but the thing is that looking on t'net I may have got the wires wrong and I'm not sure if it matters.

It was wired using C, L1 and L2, but my new switch used L1, L2 and L3. I assumed that Common on the new switch was L3 but it appears from looking online that it is actually L1 that is the Common.

Now as I say, the lights are working fine, but does it matter that I've wired L3 up as Common and the other two wires using L1?

Hope that made sense (I've tried to attach a pic that might clarify what I'm babbling on about but it won't let me because I'm a new user)

keystone

What you have discovered on t'internet is corerct. Most manufactures use Common, L1 & L2 but if it`s marked as L1,L2 & L3 then usually L1 is common. What you have done is not probably conventional and might confuse someone in the future but clearly both switches are wired the same way otherwise it wouldn't work.

Cheers

dancelikeamonkey

Thanks keystone. So do you think that as long as it's working then it's safe enough to leave it as it is, or would I be better doing it properly?

keystone

If you leave it the way it is you run the risk of the next guy that takes the switch off not having a clue what you've done because he's expecting something else. Most sensible people will test for dead anyway before starting work but no doubt there are the odd brave or stupid people (whichever side of the lens you are looking through) who will try and do it live.

No doubt a proper sparky will be along at some stage (I'm not btw) to either agree or tell me I'm talking complete and utter bo....ks.

Cheers