how do i wire up a switch from the ring main to a outsidelight . I have the out side light all correctly wired I have took a wire from the ring main to a light switch I intend to use the outside light. Here's the bit i dont know..Where do the wires all go in the switch.The back box on the switch as a earth connector ,and on the switch are 3 holes 1 at top says common and 2 at bottom says L1 L2. Please tell me where each wire goes ..i live in UK i have 6 wires coming together E /L /N from oust side light and E/L/N from mains now which holes do i put the wires in

David lee, February 2008

you are a fool for coming of the ring main doing an outside light. a lighting circuit is 1.5mm wire where a ring main is 2.5mm wire. like the other 1 said you should use a switched fused spur!!!!

dan, March 2008

you are a fool for coming of the ring main doing an outside light. a lighting circuit is 1.5mm wire where a ring main is 2.5mm wire. like the other 1 said you should use a switched fused spur!!!!

dan, March 2008

johns method is right, you shouldnt take your feed from the ring main unless you use a fused spur, i advise you contact an electrician to check wiring,fuses,cable sizes, install method. you may be at risk of electric shock or fire.

dave, March 2008

You may not like this answer but it is meat with the best of motives.

Living in the UK, what you have done is illegal (Building Regs) for two reasons: You are obviously not a "Competent Person" (Which you MUST be to do work outside). Second you have done it wrong. Get an electrician befoe you kill someone.

t, February 2008

You have bought a two way light switch and its that which is confusing you...however all you do is switch the LIVE to your outside light. Connect the LIVE from the ring main to COMMON on the switch, and the LIVE to the light to L1.....join the Neutrals together with a block connector, and the earths together with the connection in the switch box steel back. The lamp will now work, but if the switch seems to be upside down then use L2 instead of L1. Protocol really states that you should use a lighting circuit feed for this rather than the ring main though, or use a separate fused spur between the ring main and the lamp feed.

John, February 2008