White Plastic 2 Gang Intermediate Light Rocker Switch Curved Edge | Clean Pure White Light Switch with Screw Covers for Screwless effect | Home Improvements, Update Sockets

Product Information

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. Gangs and ways are the terms used to describe light switch connections. They tell you how many light fittings the switch can control and how many other switches control the same light. Here’s an explanation. Fitting a light switch can be a simple or complex task, depending on what light switches you're replacing or adding.

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? Way Switches: If a light switch is ‘1 way’ this means it is just an on/off switch. This is the simplest type of switch that you can get. The single switch controls a single light (or lighting circuit) 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.

Intermediate 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 As we are dealing with electricity it is obligatory that we warn you about safety. We have a great project that helps you understand what you are allowed to do, what you cannot do and what are your obligations under the Building Regulations (Part P); Find out more about the electrical do’s and don’ts here. Dimmer switches are ideal for rooms where people want to relax in softer light, such as living rooms and bedrooms. So, consider if a dimmer switch is needed. If so, ensure the light bulb used in the connected fitting is compatible with a dimmer switch. If not, simply change the light bulb. Pattress – This is the box that contains the parts of the light switch. Make sure that you get the right size face plate to fit on the pattress that you have fitted Way Switches: A ‘2 way’ switch means there is another switch controlling the same light. These are often used on a stair case, large room with switches by each door

Face plates have the terminals fixed to it which are usually screwed. The live and neutral are 22mm apart. To prevent something accidentally being inserted into the live parts of the plug, there are shutters (UK plugs) which only open if the top, earth ping is inserted. A ceiling switch is mounted to the roof and is switched on and off using a pull cord – see our project on how to fit a pull cord switch. This prevents any water or moisture coming anywhere near any electrical source. Terminals – These provide the entry points for the wires to be connected to either side of the switch. The switch will interrupt the flow of electricity through the live (Brown sheathed) wire. It is also possible to install or fit a variation on this theme by combining dimmer and "throw" switches on the same plate. You are then able to set the light to the required ambiance and turn it on and off. The ambiance setting is remembered by the switch but can be altered just like any other dimmer.Homeowners or businessowners often replace their light switches simply because they want to update them to suit their room décor. But, for safety, they should be replaced if they’re showing any of the following signs of wear and tear:

This is the metal strip that connects the earth terminal and therefore earth wire to the face plate screws. Terminals The main difference between an intermediate switch and a two way switch is the way they can be used in combination with other switches. When there are more than two switches on one lighting circuit, you need one of those switches to be an intermediate switch. When to Use Intermediate Switches As mentioned above, you also need 2-way light switches on the end of a circuit that has intermediate switches in the middle. A Summary of What to Use and When

When working on or around electricity, make sure that the power is off and the circuit that you are working has been isolated. If you have any doubts at any time then you should consult a professional. This will either sit inside the wall, in the plaster or cut into the plaster board, or be mounted on top of the surface of the wall. Plastic tends to be used if the pattress is surface-mounted and metal when it is incorporated in the wall. If you have a dimmer switch they are described in the same way; a 1 gang dimmer switch will have a single dimmer on the plate, and a 2 gang dimmer switch will have 2 dimmers and so on. It is possible, but as the internal workings are more complicated, intermediate switches are noticeably more expensive, so it is sensible to only use them when intermediate switching is necessary.

In this project we have been talking about plate switches which are the most common types of light switch that are used in peoples homes.A 1 gang switch will control a single lighting circuit, or turn 1 light on and off, with a 2 gang switch you can control two individual lighting circuits, and so on. This is because if you only need a 1 way switch you can still use it by only connecting one of the terminals (L1 or L2) and common terminal. If the switch doesn’t work the way you want it to, you can either turn the switch around or swap the L1 and L2 terminal. Plate Switches and Ceiling Switches With this in mind, this DIY project looks at the different types of light switch and what each should be used for. Rules and Regulations for Electrical Work When dealing with bathrooms or “special locations” as they are known, it is forbidden to wire a conventional switch within reach of a washbasin, bath or shower unit, so will need to use a ceiling switch in these circumstances, or put the plate switch outside the bathroom.