1 Gang Dimmer Light Switch Replacement

• How do I know if my light switch is faulty?
• How to replace a broken light switch?
• What are the types of switches?
• What types of light switches can I have in the bathroom?
• How to replace a one-way switch
• How to convert to two-way switching?
• Multi-way switching
• What is intermediate switching?
• How to install intermediate switching?
• What is the main function of an intermediate switch?
• What is the difference between a 2 way and intermediate light switch?
• What is the advantage of intermediate switch?
• Can you put a switch line on an intermediate switch?
• Do I need two way or intermediate?
• Can an intermediate switch be used for a 1-way switch?
• What happens if an intermediate switch is wired incorrectly?
• What light switch do I need for stairs?
• Can you use a two-way switch for one way switching?
• Can an intermediate switch be a dimmer?
• What is a Dimmer Switch?
• What are the most common types of Dimmer Switches?
• How to install a dimmer switch?
• How to replace a dimmer switch with a standard switch?
• What Dimmable Lamps or Bulbs to use?
• When should you not use a dimmer switch?
• Do you need an electrician to install a dimmer switch?
• What happens if you put a dimmer switch on a non-dimmable light or regular bulb?
• Do dimmer lights need special wiring?
• How much does it cost for an electrician to install or replace a dimmer switch? What is a Dimmer Switch Installation Cost?
• Are all dimmer switches compatible with LED lights?
• Do I need an electrician to replace a light switch?
• How much does it cost to replace a light switch?
• How long does it take to change a light switch?
• Can you replace a light switch without turning off the power?

The word gang refers to the number of switches on the plate. In some cases the gangs are also dimmers, depending on their mode of operation. If you have a dimmer light switch it are described in the same way: a 1 gang dimmer switch will have a single dimmer on the plate and a 2-gang dimmer switch will have 2 dimmers etc. A 1 gang switch controls a single lighting circuit. A 2 gang switch can control two lighting circuits. In the case where you need to be able to control two switches in a single light circuit (Example: switch at the bottom and the top of a staircase) you need to install a 2 way switch.  

How do I know if my light switch is faulty?

If your light switch does not turn on or off as normal or you may notice that the toggle or switch head moves or does not stay in its place, the switch is faulty and requires to be replaced.  

How to replace a broken light switch?

Before you start any sort of electrical work, you have to follow the following safety precautions. You need to make sure that you switch off the mains power at the consumer unit or fuse box. Then isolate the circuit you plan to work on by removing the circuit fuse. Switch off the breaker and lock it if you can. Attach a note to the unit to advise you are working on the circuit. Check the circuit is dead with a socket tester or voltage tester/meter for lighting circuits. These confirm whether circuits are dead and safe to work on. Check all finished work with a socket tester.  

What are the types of switches?

There are 3 basic types of switches that are used for domestic purposes:

• 1 Way Switches: If a light switch is one way this means this is just an on and off switch. This is the simplest kind of switch that you can find on the market. The single switch controls a single light or a single lighting circuit.
• 2 Way Switches: A two-way switch means there is another switch that controls the same light. These are often used on a staircase, in larger rooms with switches by each door.
• Intermediate Switches In case you need to control the lights from three different places, say you have 3 entrances to a large room and need a light switch next to each one, you will need an intermediate switch. The light(s) can be switched on and off from anyone of 3 places.

 

What types of light switches can I have in the bathroom?

Only ceiling-mounted pull-cord switches are permitted to be installed in bathrooms or shower rooms, as per UK building regulations.  

How to replace a one-way switch

If a switch is damaged or if you need to update your fittings, it is not difficult to replace it. Just make sure you write down exactly how the old switch was wired before you disconnect it and wire the new switch in the exact same way. Also, try and keep hold of your original screws. You may have to re-use them, as the modern fittings come with metric-sized screws and older fittings could have imperial threads.  

How to convert to two-way switching?

There are many things you will need to do if you want to change from the one-way control of a light to two-way switching.

• Firstly, you must replace the original switch with a two-way fitting.
• Then you’ll need to install a new two-way switch at the second control point.
• And after that, you should link the two with 1.5 mm²three-core-and-earth cable. Start by running the cable between the two switch positions and installing a mounting box at the new switch position.

 

Multi-way switching

The connections in two- and three-way light switches are in a way that the circuit can be made or broken at any of the switch points. For this to be possible, you must use cable with an extra core – so the current can run in various directions, along various routes. Because the brown, black and grey cores (or red, yellow, and blue if you’re using cable in the old colors) can all at times be live at a light switch, they must carry a warning brown electrical sleeving or tape.  

What is intermediate switching?

An intermediate switch allows you to control of a single light from several locations, typically installed across three or more points in a room or building. This makes them ideal for use in stairways, landings, and open plan spaces.  

How to install intermediate switching?

You can control a light from more than two separate switch positions. The connections for wiring the first and final switches are the same as for two-way switching, but a special intermediate switch is wired into the three-core-and-earth linking cable between them. An intermediate switch has four terminals. Fit a length of brown sleeving over the grey and black cores and connect the black cores to the top and bottom terminals on one side and the grey cores to the terminals on the other. Join the two brown cores with an insulated strip connector. Fit the earth cores (protected by green/yellow sleeving) to the mounting box earthing terminal.  

What is the main function of an intermediate switch?

The intermediate switch includes four terminals where these terminals will change the flow of current from circuit to circuit. It also called three-way switches. The main function of this switch is to turn ON & turn OFF the electric supply in two ways.  

What is the difference between a 2 way and intermediate light switch?

Intermediate switches can be used in place of 1 way and 2-way light switches if needed, however they are often more expensive than 2-way switches, so it is more common to only use them when needed. Intermediate switches, like 1- and 2-way switches can come in the form of rocker or toggle switches.  

What is the advantage of intermediate switch?

You may control a lamp from many different places by adding more intermediate switches. Also, many other electrical appliances like fans, alarms, machines etc. can be controlled from different places by using an intermediate switch.  

Can you put a switch line on an intermediate switch?

Yes, you can continue to use the existing L and S/L, connected to the intermediate switch.  

Do I need two way or intermediate?

The main difference between an intermediate switch and a two-way switch is the way they can be used in combination with other switches. When there are more than two switches on the same lighting circuit, you need one of these switches to be an intermediate switch.  

Can an intermediate switch be used for a 1-way switch?

Yes! You can use an intermediate switch (or a two-way switch) for a one-way switch. This can be however a very complex work.  

What happens if an intermediate switch is wired incorrectly?

The issue with wiring intermediate switches incorrectly is that they can affect the way the other light switches on the circuit work. If the intermediate switch is wired incorrectly, it is likely that switching it on and off will mean one or more of the other switches won’t control the light correct.  

What light switch do I need for stairs?

Three-way switches are used in pairs and usually found at both ends of a staircase, in garages or basements that have two entries.  

Can you use a two-way switch for one way switching?

Yes! Two-way light switches are often used for one way switching.  

Can an intermediate switch be a dimmer?

Yes, you can definitely extend this to four or more switches. With these two products, you can have the  absolute flexibility to install intermediate and 2-way switches that look like dimmers. Please note that only one of these switches can be a dimmer.  

What is a Dimmer Switch?

A dimmer switch is just like any other standard light switch, it only gives you the opportunity to adjust the brightness of your lighting body.  

What are the most common types of Dimmer Switches?

• Single-pole dimmers – for one room
• Three-way dimmers – for two or for three rooms
• Multi-location dimmers – for brightness control or more than four rooms
• Depending on the light bulbs they use, dimmers can be:
• Fluorescent dimmer bulbs; Halogen bulbs; Incandescent bulbs; Magnetic low-frequency bulbs; Electronic low-frequency bulbs; LED bulbs.
• Depending on the control styles, dimmers can be:
• Rotary dimmers, where you simply rotate a knot to adjust the brightness of the bulb.
• Toggle dimmers, where you switch up and down a couple levels, however, know that in these models, the level of brightness is fixed, and you can only choose from a few set brightness levels.
• Slide dimmers are the same as rotary dimmers, only in a straight line.
• Tap dimmers, where you have a touchpad to tap on with a finger to adjust the brightness.

 

How to install a dimmer switch?

• Cut off the electricity supply
• Remove the old switch
• Connect the new dimmer switch
• Replace the wall plate
• Switch on the electricity and test the dimmer

 

How to replace a dimmer switch with a standard switch?

• Turn off the power
• Remove the screws from the switch panel
• Use a voltage tester on the wires
• Remove the dimmer switch from the box
• Attach the new standard switch
• Push the new switch into the switch box
• Turn on the power and test the new switch.

 

What Dimmable Lamps or Bulbs to use?

When swapping out a switch for a dimmer, do not forget you need to make sure the light bulbs or lamps you are using are compatible with the dimmer you use. In case you are using halogen lamps, you need to ensure that you do not overload the dimmer.  

When should you not use a dimmer switch?

To avoid overheating and damage to other equipment, do not use Dimmer Switch to control fluorescent lighting fixtures, motor-operated and/ or transformer-supplied appliances.  

Do you need an electrician to install a 1 gang dimmer light switch?

You may be able to install a dimmer switch yourself if you have worked with electricity before, but if you’re uncomfortable with the process, you should hire a licensed electrician.  

What happens if you put a dimmer switch on a non-dimmable light or regular bulb?

You should never use normal light bulbs with dimmer switches because if you do so, the light will not perform well, it may appear fine in the beginning, but with time you will start noticing the difference in the intensity of the light. However, if the voltage is too strong, then these bulbs may burn out.  

Do dimmer lights need special wiring?

If you are simply replacing an old single-pole light switch with a light dimmer, the wiring will be the same with the same connections. Likewise, a 3-way dimmer can easily replace a regular 3-way switch. The dimmer element is simply a part of the switch and does not require any additional wiring.  

What is a Dimmer Switch Installation Cost?

A dimmer switch can provide you with a range of illumination. However, these switches need more time to install than the standard switches.  

Are all dimmer switches compatible with LED lights?

The easy answer to that question is no, but that does not mean there are not plenty of options available for dimmable LEDs.  

Do I need an electrician to replace a 1 gang dimmer light switch ?

No. If you are replacing a broken light switch it is a fairly simple task that only requires you to know how to safely isolate the circuit and some basic tools.  

How much does it cost to replace a 1 gang dimmer light switch ?

If you pay an electrician to replace a broken light switch, you can expect to pay around £35-£55. However, if the job is faulty wiring or rewiring is involved, you could be looking at double or triple that amount.  

How long does it take to change a 1 gang dimmer light switch?

If you are simply replacing a broken light switch like for like, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes.  

Can you replace a 1 gang dimmer light switch without turning off the power?

No, it is extremely dangerous if you work on any electrical lighting, wiring, sockets or any appliances without first isolating the circuit you are working on. For any other electrical services , please check our electrical installation and wiring or our electrical replacement pages.