Light switche

[Davemallon]

I'm renewing light switches the old switch has the following wiring. Blue and black to one terminal. Red and white to another and one red to third. Any ideas for the new switch??

 

[ProDave]

First keep the wires paired up EXACTLY as they are.  And best to take a photograph of the old switch BEFORE you disconnect anything so if you mess it up, you can put it back as it was.

How are the terminals on the new switch labelled?  It varies a bit from one make to the next.  Is it a metal switch you are fitting?  If so is there a green or green and yellow cable anywhere in the switch box?

 

[Davemallon]

Hello

The new switch is metal ( nexus) it has com and l1 and L2 and an earth . No green or green and yellow.

 

[ProDave]

Is there even a bare copper wire inside the back of the light switch box connected to a small terminal on the metal back box?

The old colours (white) suggest this is very old wiring and it may not have an earth connection, in which case you cannot fit the metal switches or indeed metal light fittings, unless you buy some that are specifically "class 2" and state that they do not need an earth connection.  Usually indicated by a symbol that is a square within a square.

 

[Davemallon]

Thank you for your reply. I'm now going to call an electrician to sort it out.

 

[ProDave]

You don't have to give up if there is no earth on your lights. An electrician will check it and let you know if it is safe to continue using, or give you a price to rewire it.

This company specialised in light fittings that can be used on a system without an earth https://www.thelightingsuperstore.co.uk/class-2-double-insulated/ceiling-lights

 

[Davemallon]

Thanks