Adding lights and a 2 gang switch

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

Hi everyone, I am currently making recessed (niche) shelving and wanted to add some lighting coming from the existing switch. I want to change to switch to a 2 gang do that these light can be controlled independently from the main light. How would I go about wiring this up? I am pretty okay when it comes to stuff like this, I've added extra sockets etc. but I can't get my head around how the lighting wiring works ? any help is greatly appreciated and I can send any photos required to help out.

Thanks a lot!

[ElectriciansForums.net] Adding lights and a 2 gang switch

suffolkspark · Jul 10, 2021

If theres a neutral at the light switch you can loop the line in the switch to the second gang and join in the neutral and cpc. If there is not a neutral at the switch you'll need to get it there from the light

westward10 · Jul 10, 2021

The circuit will also require 30ma rcd protection.

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

suffolkspark said:
If theres a neutral at the light switch you can loop the line in the switch to the second gang and join in the neutral and cpc. If there is not a neutral at the switch you'll need to get it there from the light

Thanks for the reply. Here is a photo of the light swift in question.

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

westward10 said:
The circuit will also require 30ma rcd protection.

Thanks for the reply. I'm assuming that it is as the consumer unit is RCD protected. Here is a photo of the unit.

westward10 · Jul 10, 2021

Yes it is rcd protected. Are there any other wires tucked in the back box of the light switch.

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

westward10 said:
Yes it is rcd protected. Are there any other wires tucked in the back box of the light switch.

There is an earth wire and I just noticed another red wire that has been cut off. Not sure why or what it is.

suffolkspark · Jul 10, 2021

pajo1999 said:
There is an earth wire and I just noticed another red wire that has been cut off. Not sure why or what it is.

If that red wire is also snipped at the ceiling light you may be able to use it to bring neutral to your switch position

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

suffolkspark said:
If that red wire is also snipped at the ceiling light you may be able to use it to bring neutral to your switch position

Just checked and there doesn't seem to be any red wires. Looks like the new wiring here but old at the switch?

suffolkspark · Jul 10, 2021

pajo1999 said:
Just checked and there doesn't seem to be any red wires. Looks like the new wiring here but old at the switch?
View attachment 87582

Theres Junction box joining cables somewhere then, youll likely need to get access from above to see whats going on

westward10 · Jul 10, 2021

No you have no neutral but as @suffolkspark suggests you maybe able to repurpose the cut off red but your picture of the light fitting itself is worrying. There used to be a ceiling rose there but the new fitting only has a single flex up into the ceiling cavity and what looks like a DIY job it is highly likely that flex is connected to unenclosed block connectors. It may be time to get an electrician in.

Pretty Mouth · Jul 10, 2021

You have a 2-way switching arrangement here (should be another switch that controls the same light). There may, or may not, be a permanent live at the switch, and if there is one, it could be any one of the 3 reds. Looks like there's a hidden junction somewhere too, complicating things. This is probably beyond DIY, best get a professional in for this one.

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

suffolkspark said:
Theres Junction box joining cables somewhere then, youll likely need to get access from above to see whats going on

I will be changing all floors upstairs so I'll have a look then at what's going on. I'll leave some lighting cable at the neiche boxes and once the floor is lifted and I can figure out what's going on it should be easier to wire it all up or I'll get an electrical in. Thanks for your help!!

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

westward10 said:
No you have no neutral but as @suffolkspark suggests you maybe able to repurpose the cut off red but your picture of the light fitting itself is worrying. There used to be a ceiling rose there but the new fitting only has a single flex up into the ceiling cavity and what looks like a DIY job it is highly likely that flex is connected to unenclosed block connectors. It may be time to get an electrician in.

It seems like I right mess ? as I said to @suffolkspark I'll leave some wire at the neiche boxes and once I'm doing the upstairs floors I'll have a look at what's going on and if I manage to fix it at least the cables are there to connect it all up or get a professional out to do it. Thanks for your help!

pajo1999 · Jul 10, 2021

Pretty Mouth said:
You have a 2-way switching arrangement here (should be another switch that controls the same light). There may, or may not, be a permanent live at the switch, and if there is one, it could be any one of the 3 reds. Looks like there's a hidden junction somewhere too, complicating things. This is probably beyond DIY, best get a professional in for this one.

I can't seem to see another switch, could have been one somewhere before but I'm not sure. Going to leave it for the meantime and have a look at what's going on in the ceiling cavity at a later date. It's getting a bit too much for my knowledge and skill. Thanks for your help!