Light switches

Author
Discussion

DonkeyApple

Original Poster:

55,391 posts

170 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
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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 smile. 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?

DonkeyApple

Original Poster:

55,391 posts

170 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
Thanks but the absolute last thing I want is any gadgets. Just education on the right, traditional switch. biggrin

DonkeyApple

Original Poster:

55,391 posts

170 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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xstian said:
DonkeyApple said:
Does it matter if the two spots are on a two way rocker?
No it doesn't.
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?

DonkeyApple

Original Poster:

55,391 posts

170 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
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miniman said:
Thanks. We have this system in the kitchen and living room and those are the next areas for dimmers.

DonkeyApple

Original Poster:

55,391 posts

170 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
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.