The 1 way switch is the most simple type of light switch. It enables a single light to be turned on and off. Careful though some switches can fool you like a 3 way. We have seen ground wires hooked on the common of a 3 way causing a short circuit.

However, if you need two switches to control a single lighting circuit, in the same manner that you would have a switch at both the top and bottom of a staircase to control a landing/stairway light, you need to use what’s known as a 2 ‘way’ switch. Get a suitable screwdriver and gently remove the switch plate. Place the screws somewhere safe so you don’t lose them. Now note which wires go where. Take a photo for reference. An example of what this would be used for would be to turn off and on a hot water tank. It could also be used for turning on or off a safety switch for any 240 volt loads like a water pump. Important: Turn off the power to the circuit you are working on. If working on an existing light circuit, turn the MCB for that circuit off at your consumer unit or remove the fuse if you have an old fuse board. In most properties there will be an downstairs and upstairs circuit so make sure you have the right oneIntermediate Switches: If you need to control the lights from three places, say you have 3 entrances to a large room and need a light switch next to each one, you will need an intermediate switch. The light(s) can be switched on and off from anyone of 3 places Finally the 2 neutral wires from the previous and next light supply cables should be wired to the neutral terminal containing the neutral wire for the light fitting

The most common light switches are white plastic. But there’s a wide range of other, more decorative colours and finishes available, so homeowners can match their switches to their décor. There are also smart switches on the market today that simply wire into any power circuit to control lights.The newer loop-in circuit avoids most of this hassle as a live feed can be taken directly form the ceiling rose and a cable run to the new light location. It is very important to be safe. Please have a look at our project on electrical safety before you begin any project. What is a 1 or a 2 gang light switch? When wiring a new single light switch (where you only need one switch), there is no need for any additional wires. Just make sure to label which side of the box is hot and which side is neutral, if applicable. When working on or around the electrics you are allowed to do yourself at home such as changing switch faceplates it’s essential that you know exactly what type of light switch does what so that, when changing them, you change like-for-like.

This method is commonly used for shutting off 240 V loads. Since 240 V loads do not have a neutral wire it is considered by code to be safe to break both sides of the circuit.

With the more modern loop-in system the ceiling rose acts as the junction box and the light fitting is wired directly to it. A single cable is then run to the switch that controls the light. In this case the power is coming from the panel through the first switch box to the second switch box and then to the light fixture. Switches also come with different profiles, describing how the switch stands out from the wall. For example, raised profiles with rounded or square edges stand a few millimetres out from the wall. There are slim raised profiles that stand out less. And there are flat profiles that are almost flush with the wall.