8 gangs of 2 way light switches - wiring

[Michaelwgroves]

If you were wiring 8 gangs of 2 way light switches. Would you wire 8 independent circuits, so 8 no. 3 core between switches. Or would you run a live, and loop all the L1's together, then just run 8 no. 2 core between switches ?

 

[Michaelwgroves]

It's all on same circuit.

Correction:
It's 4 gangs for Lounge and 4 gangs for kitchen, all in same switch enclosure. Kitchen is on circuit 1, Lounge is circuit 2.
Should I join circuits in CU, or is it acceptable to have two circuits in same switch enclosure. Technically both circuits only feed their respective lights ?

 

[DPG]

Correction:
It's 4 gangs for Lounge and 4 gangs for kitchen, all in same switch enclosure. Kitchen is on circuit 1, Lounge is circuit 2.
Should I join circuits in CU, or is it acceptable to have two circuits in same switch enclosure. Technically both circuits only feed their respective lights ?

Based on the questions you are asking, I would get an electrician in for this work. You could always do the chasing and floorboard lifting. No offence intended, but at least you know it will be done correctly and also certified.

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Based on the questions you are asking, I would get an electrician in for this work. You could always do the chasing and floorboard lifting. No offence intended, but at least you know it will be done correctly and also certified.

I am a spark....................

 

[DPG]

I am a spark....................

Oops, sorry!

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Oops, sorry!

No harm done

 

[Mark42]

Yup, I know CY/YY/SY is not 'approved' under certain UK regs because, as I understand it, it was too much hassle and expense for the manufacturers to bother. So one writes it down as a departure, used for good engineering reasons and to equal safety standards. British Standards publications are not law, only a guide to one (good) way of doing things.
Otherwise, why are these excellent cables even sold in the UK? ...
I'll argue with anyone that my occasional use of SY is better than say cr@p flimsy T&E clipped to a wall in a public building. The latter is entirely compliant, but that doesn't stop it being cr@p.
I rather like having that earthed braid over everything, cf. Flexishield of which I also use a lot.

 

[DPG]

Yup, I know CY/YY/SY is not 'approved' under certain UK regs because, as I understand it, it was too much hassle and expense for the manufacturers to bother. So one writes it down as a departure, used for good engineering reasons and to equal safety standards.
Otherwise, why are these excellent cables even sold in the UK? ...
I'll argue with anyone that my occasional use of SY is better than say cr@p T&E clipped to a wall in a public building. I rather like having that earthed braid over everything, cf. Flexishield of which I also use a lot.

Trouble is, the earth braiding isn't really doing anything. If you NEED an earthed outer then you would need to use SWA or flexishield.

 

[westward10]

Correction:
It's 4 gangs for Lounge and 4 gangs for kitchen, all in same switch enclosure. Kitchen is on circuit 1, Lounge is circuit 2.
Should I join circuits in CU, or is it acceptable to have two circuits in same switch enclosure. Technically both circuits only feed their respective lights ?

You can have 100 circuits in a switch enclosure if you want.

 

[nicebutdim]

Correction:
It's 4 gangs for Lounge and 4 gangs for kitchen, all in same switch enclosure. Kitchen is on circuit 1, Lounge is circuit 2.
Should I join circuits in CU, or is it acceptable to have two circuits in same switch enclosure. Technically both circuits only feed their respective lights ?

I am a spark....................

By chance have you ever looked behind a switchplate in the hall of any two story house?

 

[Michaelwgroves]

By chance have you ever looked behind a switchplate in the hall of any two story house?

Yes, a few lives. But is this the done thing today?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Because it's not to any British Standa

Yes, a few lives. But is this the done thing today?

99% of houses today will be wired using twin and earth and three core and earth cable , so mostly houses are wired the same way. nearly every sparks nowadays will feed the switch rather than the light. you might often find 2 circuits in 1 switch on the landing where you can switch downstairs lights and upstairs lights via various 2 way switching

 

[nicebutdim]

Yes, a few lives. But is this the done thing today?

Yes.

In just about every two story house.

I don't think it needs to be stated, but just in case... circuits would remain separate from each other within the enclosure.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Yes.

In just about every two story house.

I don't think it needs to be stated, but just in case... circuits would remain separate from each other within the enclosure.

Or you get the dreaded circuits being back fed from separate MCBs in the board when some dope has interlinked all the feeds together

 

[nicebutdim]

Or you get the dreaded circuits being back fed from separate MCBs in the board when some dope has interlinked all the feeds together

Sort of why I made that last point, although I'm sure it was unnecessary.

 

[westward10]

Eight gang switch in a dwelling that won't cause confusion.