Are switch markings on a light switch all the same? While changing a light switch it could be a good time to change a light fitting as you will already have the tools you need and the power turned off. This is when you would use the L2 terminal."
Two way is used for when you have two light switches switching one light, e.g. Jordan Batchelor from JB Electrical reveals what L1 and L2 mean, "There are two ways of connecting a light switch, one way and two way. In a one way switch installation you simply connect the incoming permanent live conductor into the common terminal and the switched live conductor (going to the light fitting) to the L1 terminal. A two way switch will add an L2 terminal alongside the L1 terminal. (Image credit: Steven Jenkins) What does L1 and L2 mean on a light switch?Ī one way switch will typically have a COM or COMMON terminal at the top and an L1 terminal at the bottom. The electrical wiring colours in the UK changed back in 2004 to match European standards. It is important that you note the colours and make sure you connect to the right terminal whenever doing any domestic electrics including wiring up a light switch or wiring a plug. The old live red wire was replaced by brown, the old neutral black wire by blue and the old green earth became yellow and green. The current standard wiring colours of green/yellow, blue and brown were introduced back in 2004 with all new wiring installations from the beginning of 2006 having to adopt these colours.īut if you live in a home built before the regulations came into effect the wiring will most likely be red, black and green/yellow (pre-1977 the earth was just green). Finally restore the power to test that new switch. Once complete tuck the cable into the back box and screw the switch plate back on, making sure it is secure. If installing a light switch that has a metal face plate like the BG Brushed Steel Light Switch from B&Q then you need to connect the green/yellow earth wire to the face plate. If the cables do not fill the terminals then the wires can be stripped further back and folded over to ensure a nice tight connection. Do the same with the switch blue or black wire and place it into the L1 terminal. Give it a gentle tug to make sure it is secure. Place the brown or red (live feed) wire into the COM terminal and tighten. Leave around 15mm of bare wire and enough length so it's easy to wire up the new terminals. You may need to strip the wires with a pair of wire strippers and trim up with a pair of pliers. Use a pair of pliers to tidy up if needed. Check that the ends of the wires are neatly twisted together so there are no stray wires. Loosen the terminal screws holding the wires in place and gently pull out the wires and put the old light switch aside. The blue (switch wire) wire will normally have a brown sleeve or tape indicating that it is also a live circuit and not neutral circuit as the colour would normally suggest.įor older wiring it's the red (live feed) wire that goes in the top COM terminal and the black (switch wire) wire that goes into the L1 terminal. Again, the black (switch wire) wire would normally have a red tape or sleeve indicating that it is a live circuit and not neutral.
The brown (live feed) wire goes into the COM terminal and the blue (switch wire) wire goes into the L1 terminal. Typically, a one way switch will have two terminals named COM (at the top) and L1 at the bottom. Place the screws somewhere safe so you don’t lose them. Get a suitable screwdriver and gently remove the switch plate.
#Replacing light switch tv#
Try the switch you are replacing and any other plugged in electric items – such as a lamp or TV – and check they are not working. Now test the electricity has been switched off. As an extra safety precaution you can remove the fuse that controls the lighting circuit you are working on. Find your fuse box, where you will see a large on/off switch, push to off. Switch off the electricīefore you start you need to isolate the light switch so you are not working with a live circuit.
Once you have the tools, make sure you are completing the works during daylight hours as you will be turning off the electrics to your home.
0 kommentar(er)
