Dimmer switch conundrum

[Rodreguez]

Hello everyone!
So then! I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I have a friend who can wire stuff up for me and has already fitted several dimmer switches for me in various rooms. We're not sure how to deal with the latest one though so I thought I'd ask the pros!

I have two lights in my hallway, one near the front door, and one round the corner near the lounge.

The one near the doorway has a single on/off switch.

The one near the lounge has a on/off switch that is part of a double switch. The other on/off switch on the same unit also turns on and off the light near the front door.

To clarify, that's two lights - one near the front door, and a single switch near the front door and a double switch in the middle that controls both. The light near the front door can be turned on and off either with the single switch near the front door, or on the double switch the other end of the hallway!

My question is, can I keep the single switch at the front door to control the light near the front door, and have a double dimmer switch in the middle, with one dimmer controlling each light respectively? Or perhaps a dimmer by the front door, or whatever else works? Either way, I just want to be able to dim either lights respectively.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this

 

[SYKRAPS]

2 gang dimmer to replace the 2 gang standard switch is fine the only thing is that when you use the single switch to turn on the light it will illuminate to the dimmed setting that it was turned off last at the 2 gang dimmer switch, but this is what you would require i expect?

Make sure that you get a 2 gang 2 way dimmer switch and it is the correct wattage rating for the lighting to be controled.

 

[Rodreguez]

Hey thanks! I don't mind if it illuminates to last setting. How will I know that it's the correct wattage rating for the lighting to be controlled?

 

[Knobhead]

PAY a qualified electrician

 

[Rodreguez]

Thanks Tony, but with repsect I'd rather save money. My friend has fitted a bunhc of other switches succesfully.

Back on topic, SYKRAPS, I've found the dimmer switch I bought, and it's a 2 way, 2 gang dimmer switch at 250W. is this likely to be right? What'll happen if it's not the right wattage? Obviously I'm willing to try it but I don't wnat to ruin any of my electrics...

 

[SYKRAPS]

the total wattage of the lamps on each switch should not exceed 250w, and if you use low wattage lamps it will buzz. If you exceed the wattage the dimmer switch will pop

NOT suggesting the work should be performed by an unqualified person BTW

 

[Rodreguez]

Ok that should be fine. I have 2 x 50 w Halogen bulbs in one fitting and 1 buolb in the other which will probably just be a standard 40 pearlescent bayonet bulb.

My friend isn't "qualified" as such, but he is an aircraft simulator engineer, and most of this is pretty basic stuff, he just wasn't entirely sure of the specifics of fitting this lot. I told him I'd find out as he's helping me out, so here I am. Now we have the info, it should be a pretty straightforward job for him.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Octopus]

Thanks Tony, but with repsect I'd rather save money. My friend has fitted a bunhc of other switches succesfully
QUOTE]

So why don't you ask him then?

 

[Rodreguez]

Thanks Tony, but with repsect I'd rather save money. My friend has fitted a bunhc of other switches succesfully
QUOTE]

So why don't you ask him then?

Read the thread more carefully and you will see why.

 

[nikmet]

Read the thread more carefully and you will see why.

he said he doesnt want to pay a professional

 

[Rodreguez]

I've just forked out £300k for a house. I'm absolutely rinsed. If I can save a bob or two safely then I will. If I didn't have this friend who knows a thing or two, then I'd certainly be calling a professional electrician, as there's no way I'd be stupid enough to attempt anything like this myself.

 

[Knobhead]

So he asks a group of profesionals how to do it. No way!

 

[Rodreguez]

So he asks a group of profesionals how to do it. No way!

Yeah! And he gets the info he needs for free! Great thing the internet isn't it!

 

[ipf]

300k for a house and can't afford someone qualified to install a couple of dimmers.
Very dim or very tight IMO. I wonder how useful home insurance is sometimes, if it can be afforded that is.

 

[Swicade]

The t'internet is indeed a great thing...not only for getting advice on everything you can think of for free BUT also a good way for people to give out false information in such a convincing way people can end up doing something wrong believeing it's right....

Luckily SYKRAPS gives good info......but however good t'internet is you cant beat shelling out afew quid to get face to face with a professional, if anything this does give you some comeback if things go wrong......if info given on t'internet is wrong but you follow it to the letter and things go wrong who's gonna be to blame?