Swap a 2 gang dimmer switch for a standard 2 switch arrangement

1cookie · Jan 14, 2023

Hi.
In the images. One is a 2 gang dimmer switch and the other a normal 2 gang switch arrangement.

Dimmer 1 controls the main ceiling rose and the second dimmer controls some wall lights.

I'd like to swap out the dimmer entirely for the standard switch only am not 100% sure on the wiring config for the switch. Here's my thoughts:-

2 hot (red) wires incoming. Fit these into com1 & com2 resp.

1 black wire. Fit this into com2 L2 terminal.

1 brown wire. Share terminal com1 and fit to com2 L1 resp.

Does this sound logical enough? Thanks in advance.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Swap a 2 gang dimmer switch for a standard 2 switch arrangement

westward10 · Jan 14, 2023

Put the brown and red from L1 into one of the COM, doesn't matter which one and the other end of the brown into the other COM. Your red and black go into the L1 terminals separately.

1cookie · Jan 14, 2023

Brill. Works a charm. Thankyou

westward10 said:
Put the brown and red from L1 into one of the COM, doesn't matter which one and the other end of the brown into the other COM. Your red and black go into the L1 terminals separately.

westward10 said:
Put the brown and red from L1 into one of the COM, doesn't

westward10 said:
Put the brown and red from L1 into one of the COM, doesn't matter which one and the other end of the brown into the other COM. Your red and black go into the L1 terminals separately.

westward10 · Jan 14, 2023

I've just noticed that switch needs an earth and there doesn't appear to be one unless it is poked in through the back. If no earth you need a plastic switch.

1cookie · Jan 14, 2023

westward10 said:
I've just noticed that switch needs an earth and there doesn't appear to be one unless it is poked in through the back. If no earth you need a plastic switch.

Ah. I just wired it up. There is no earth. I might have to re-consider a plastic switch. Thanks for the advice.

westward10 · Jan 14, 2023

1cookie said:
Ah. I just wired it up. There is no earth. I might have to re-consider a plastic switch. Thanks for the advice.

I didn't notice initially but you shouldn't use that switch with no earth.

1cookie · Jan 14, 2023

westward10 said:
I didn't notice initially but you shouldn't use that switch with no earth.

That's a belt and braces approach of course. I'm gonna stick my neck out and say it's good for the time being. Or would you advise differently?

DPG · Jan 14, 2023

1cookie said:
That's a belt and braces approach of course. I'm gonna stick my neck out and say it's good for the time being. Or would you advise differently?

Not worth the risk.

westward10 · Jan 14, 2023

1cookie said:
That's a belt and braces approach of course. I'm gonna stick my neck out and say it's good for the time being. Or would you advise differently?

No use a plastic switch I should have noticed this initially.

suffolkspark · Jan 14, 2023

I wonder if theres a 16mm back box behind that and a pattress was put infront to save chiselling out a deeper box for the dimmers @1cookie Do take a look as that switch needs a cpc and there may well be one back there, you could potentially remove the pattress too which would look better.... defo investigate

nicebutdim · Jan 14, 2023

suffolkspark said:
I wonder if theres a 16mm back box behind that and a pattress was put infront to save chiselling out a deeper box for the dimmers @1cookie Do take a look as that switch needs a cpc and there may well be one back there, you could potentially remove the pattress too which would look better.... defo investigate

Hard to tell from the image, but it looks as though the pattress is screwed to some sort of wooden panelling.

suffolkspark · Jan 14, 2023

nicebutdim said:
Hard to tell from the image, but it looks as though the pattress is screwed to some sort of wooden panelling.

Yea looks like your right, i assumed door frame , still could be a snipped cpc if lucky could yank a bit, worth a poke about though as cant be left like that really