Help replacing a double light switch with a single one
Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

2 posts   •   Page 1 of 1
pee_cee
Labourer
Labourer
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:50 pm

Help replacing a double light switch with a single one

by pee_cee » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:50 pm

Hello

In my living room there are 2 ceiling lights. On one side of the room there is a double switch which controls both lights (2 switches, one panel). The left switch controls the left light, the right, the right light.

On the other side of the room, there was a dimmer switch which controlled the left light. You had to turn on the light at the switch and then dim it from across the room.

I have replaced this dimmer with a single 2 way switch.

Now this controls the left light as desired. On the double switch, the left switch now doesn't turn the light on or off, when you flick it, the light stays on, until turned off on by the new switch.

I would now like to replace this double switch with a single one (I have a single 2 way ready to go on the wall), but the wires are confusing me.

Here is a photo of the wires

[IMG]http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/pee_cee/2Large.jpg[/IMG]

The left side as seen in the photo is the switch I want to remove. The right side still correctly controls the right ceiling light.

Can I do this myself, without have to get an electrician in?!

Thank you

ericmark

by ericmark » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:40 pm

If you look at my standard wiring diagram http://www.ericpalmer.fsnet.co.uk/Images5/LIGHTS.JPG you will see the normal way to wire two way switches in the UK. This is completely different to how it is taught in school see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_switch with all red wires it is not going to be easy.
Job one would be to label every wire then painstakingly work out which is which once this is done then you can work out how to wire seems rather a daunting task.
I can't think of any quick fix.
Eric

2 posts   •   Page 1 of 1
It is currently Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:58 pm