How do I open this?

[Ingwe]

Want to install a surface mounted light switch in our French home. I bought this switch from a French electrical contractor and thought it would be opened by loosening screws on the back. However, what I though were screws are not. Have tried to open it by unclicking the two parts (close look will show where a fine flat headed screw driver has been used trying to lever it) but unsuccessful so far. Don’t want to try too hard in case it breaks.
Any suggestions?

 

[Vanman]

I have some similar house ones and the rocker (grey) switch flicks off with a screwdriver. You can sometimes see a slot for that if you look carefully.

 

[Ingwe]

Thank you! Sorted. Exactly as you said (although couldn’t see a slot).

 

[Ingwe]

Now I further confused! When I opened the switch I was expecting to find terminals for the brown wire to go into on one side, the live side and two terminals for the neutral side and that the switch would interrupt the live side. But there is a plastic switch marked as the photo but only three screws. The “instructions” are also shown. To me it is less than clear (a) where the wires enter the plastic switch and (b) where they go?

 

[Odd-no-more]

It looks like a 2 way switch, lighting switches do not have nuetral. Looking at the diagram L to either terminal would work, if it's the wrong way up use the other terminal

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[Itsmcb]

L is one side of the switch, X 1 is the other side. X3 is for two way switching as per the instructions.

 

[Itsmcb]

The neutrals will need a little connection block (or connecting in the light fitting)

 

[stevewagner]

It is a two way switch which have what they call strappers to interconnect them. If you have a meter just set it to continuity and attached The probes to two terminals at a time and try the switch to see which ones open and close. Then just connect the live either side.

 

[Itsmcb]

What are you switching?

 

[Bucket]

Yes, it's a 2-way switch. Live goes to the luminair (bulb holder) but is diverted to the switch so you can turn it on and off. Normally the blue wire has a brown tape on each end to indicate 'switched live'
If you are just replacing an existing switch duplicate the wiring.

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[Ingwe]

I’m putting a switch on a suspended lamp over a table. There is no existing switch so can’t just duplicate the wiring. I’ve put switches in many lamps over the years but this one is confusing the hell out of me. But I’m a lot clearer now following all the input from you all. Many thanks.
The photos show the lamp in question, the dark one of the current block connector (covered in white tape) to be replaced with the switch.

 

[Ingwe]

Second photo.

 

[Odd-no-more]

If the supply is 3 core then you will need to connect the neutral and earth with terminal blocks and switch the line (live)

 

[Ingwe]

If the supply is 3 core then you will need to connect the neutral and earth with terminal blocks and switch the line (live)

No, the supply is twin core.
In the morning, I’ll look at it with a fresh mind and the great information given here. We’ve had our first rain for ages and the it’s been so humid here, sleeping has been difficult.

 

[Ingwe]

My first attempt has resulted in the circuit tripping the mains. I simply can’t see what I’ve done wrong. I’ve put the two brown live wires into the L sockets in the switch and the two blue wires in the X1 sockets. See the attached photo.
The mains reset ok so I need some further advice before attempt too.

Any comments gratefully received.

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[St3v3]

Brown from supply - L
Brown to light - X1

Join your two blues in a separate connector block.

If the switch works upside-down, move the wire from X1 to X3

 

[Odd-no-more]

What he said

 

[pappajohn]

As post 16.....
There is no neutral connection in the switch.
Join neutrals in a connector block or similar.

 

[Itsmcb]

I'm surprised, but pleased, your still alive !

 

[Ingwe]

I'm surprised but pleased your still alive !

What’s black and hangs from the ceiling?

An amateur electrician.

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[Ingwe]

Have to report that I returned to a smaller simple switch and, whilst it looks less elegant it works! Thanks everyone for you invaluable advice.