Lighting configuration to have many switches or one switch for all lights

Koth · Oct 3, 2018

Hi all

Per title. I'd like to have 6 lighting zones in my living room and do not know if it is possible to configure the functionality that I want via the switches. Essentially I am trying to cut down on the number of switches required.

I'd like 4 zones to have independent dimmers. These will be two pairs of dimmers. Additionaly, I'd like to be able to turn on each pair of dimmers and a third zone via a third dimmer that controls all three zones without having to switch them all on via three independant dimmer switches. This would also apply for the other pair plus it's third zone.

Apologies, I can see that this may not be very clear, I may return with a diagram later to help clarify.

Can anybody suggest a suitable method of doing this? I am trying to avoid using a huge grid switch if possible.

Thank you

Pete999 · Oct 11, 2018

Pete999 said:
The OP is a Design Engineer, need I say more? Need to ask that DI from DIY SOS he is used to working with Designers.

OP do you wear those poncy frilly shirt type things that LLBowen wears?

just kidding

egg67 · Oct 11, 2018

LightwaveRF in-line relays and one master switch cost about £200 for the lot

telectrix · Oct 11, 2018

just buy 2 of these:

[ElectriciansForums.net] Lighting configuration to have many switches or one switch for all lights

and 1 of these:

sssssimplesss.

SparkyChick · Oct 16, 2018

@Koth ,

I've recently used some switches/controllers made by Quinetic.

Quinetic Wireless Switches - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Quinetic/index.html

These are wireless units, with the switches not needing batteries.

They do dimmer modules that can handle 1.5A (they are trailing edge and can handle 150w of LEDs each). The system works by pairing switch units with the receiver modules.

Each receiver can be paired with up to 10 switches.

So I'm thinking 6 x dimmable receivers, 3 x 2G Dimmer Switch modules and 1 x 1G Dimmer switch.

Each controller could be paired with 1 module from the 2G switches (giving control over the individual zones) and the 1G dimmer switch (giving master control over all zones).

They might be worth a look. Not cheap and may require some adjustment to the fixed wiring, but they may be suitable and may allow you to achieve what you want.

They even have a WiFi enabled dimmer which may allow you to control it via an app or use something like Alexa to control it with voice.

But I would advise you research thoroughly and use the services of a local electrician to do this.

shaun1 · Oct 16, 2018

If you wanted to go low tech, you could get 6 dimmer switches and a 2 way centre off master switch. It could then be wired so the master switch could be On, off or dimmed, in the dimmed position each of the individual dimmers would control the lights. You could possibly even add a master dimmer after the master switch. The wiring would be very non standard though.

Edit: Actually thinking about it you would then need a diode between each zone

DPG · Oct 16, 2018

Not sure how that diode is going to work to isolate 2 AC sources.

shaun1 · Oct 16, 2018

DPG said:
Not sure how that diode is going to work to isolate 2 AC sources.

I thought I must have over simplified it somehow.

Leesparkykent · Oct 16, 2018

Pete999 said:
The OP is a Design Engineer, need I say more? Need to ask that DI from DIY SOS he is used to working with Designers.

I like billy Byrne from DIY SOS...although I once see him use black as neutral and grey as earth

Deleted member 105166 · Oct 16, 2018

Koth said:
It's a little crude but I have done a diagram. (Diagram is attached here).
View attachment 44782
View attachment 44783

Nice diagram. Why not go the whole hog and run DMX to them? Then you can make the blue ones fade to green, the green crossfade to yellow and some psychedelic strobing on a Friday night.