Light switches
Discussion
Long day and have been issued with a request to fit a dimmer to the drawing room and it’s fried my brain.
The primary switch on the way into the room is a 2 gang with the other switch operating a pair of halogen spots just outside the room. I don’t want these on a dimmer as I really don’t like ceiling spots being left on and I know my family well enough that while they are a pair of aggressive spots they won’t be used and won’t be left on
. This requires a plate that has a dimmer on the left and a rocker on the right.
That bit I’m ok with. Where I am getting a bit stuck is that the drawing room lights have another switch on the other side of the room, so I’m assuming that this means the dimmer needs to be a two way switch?
If so then all the 2 gang switches I can find are both two way rather than just the dimmer being two way. Does it matter if the two spots are on a two way rocker?
The primary switch on the way into the room is a 2 gang with the other switch operating a pair of halogen spots just outside the room. I don’t want these on a dimmer as I really don’t like ceiling spots being left on and I know my family well enough that while they are a pair of aggressive spots they won’t be used and won’t be left on
. This requires a plate that has a dimmer on the left and a rocker on the right. That bit I’m ok with. Where I am getting a bit stuck is that the drawing room lights have another switch on the other side of the room, so I’m assuming that this means the dimmer needs to be a two way switch?
If so then all the 2 gang switches I can find are both two way rather than just the dimmer being two way. Does it matter if the two spots are on a two way rocker?
Can you use a modular system to build what you want? https://www.myswitchshop.com/index.php?main_page=i...
ruggedscotty said:
£115?!Grid system is the answer: https://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/switches-and-socket...
33q said:
Just install Hue bulbs and dimmers
Much easier
I agree. OP hinted at being energy conscious so bulbs will be led which are always flakey of dimmers anyway. The white/ambience bulbs are dirt cheap now and there’s plenty hubs kicking about for nothing on eBay from people who buy up the amazon deal starter kits just for 3 cheap bulbs.Much easier
xstian said:
DonkeyApple said:
Does it matter if the two spots are on a two way rocker?
No it doesn't. The two ceiling lamps in the drawing room have 5 40W bulbs each so does that mean I should look for a 500w dimmer or 250w?
miniman said:
Thanks. We have this system in the kitchen and living room and those are the next areas for dimmers. DonkeyApple said:
Thanks. So a 2 gang, 2 way switch is the right one? Ie what is there already and working fine just not with a dimmer?
The two ceiling lamps in the drawing room have 5 40W bulbs each so does that mean I should look for a 500w dimmer or 250w?
So you have 10 x 40w off the switch - therefore the minimum spec is 400w, so given the 2 options, you need a 500wThe two ceiling lamps in the drawing room have 5 40W bulbs each so does that mean I should look for a 500w dimmer or 250w?
BaldOldMan said:
Or take the opportunity to fit LED bulbs at under 25w each - just make sure they are dimmable if you do.
Thanks for the answer above. LED free house as much as possible. And definitely on anything with a dimmer. They’re an absolute nightmare to find a dimmer and led combo that doesn’t buzz and even when you do you find the bulb is no longer available or has been changed when you eventually need to replace them. No end of my time wasted on that front. Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff