Is there such a thing as a 2gang switch AND dimmer?

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

I want to use a dimmer on the 6A downlights and a normal switch for the central halogen 12v ceiling light as they are not compatible with a dimmer . Rather than wiring two separate switchplates I was wondering if there was a single plate 2 gang switch with a dimmer and a switch around anywhere? (ie one dimmer switch for the normal 6A lights and a standard switch or ideally a dimmer for the 12v ceiling light)

JohnD · 2 May 2010

if you use a gridswitch you can assemble pretty well anything inside it. But you may need a deeper or larger backbox as the dimmers are a bit big.

Grid dimmers are shockingly expensive. Be sure to buy a good brand like Crabtree, MEM or MK.

I think the "push on-off" "turn-dim" last better than the "turn-on-dim-bright" ones, but the more modern electronic ones are "push-on-dim-bright-dim-off" and may last even better.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...nu_Index/Grid_System/Grid_System_4/index.html

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

Thanks John, so there's nothing that would fit into a standard light switch pattress box? Have never heard of the gridswitches before so will have to check them out.

RF Lighting · 2 May 2010

You can get a switch module which fits in place of one of the dimmer modules on a standard 2 gang dimmer switch. This should be ok on a standard 25mm flush box. Probably not if the box is only 16mm though.

Personally I think using a grid switch is the more elegant soloution, but if you can't fit a deeper box, there's not much you can do.

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

Thanks RF how deep do the grid switch recesses have to be?

RF Lighting · 2 May 2010

Unless there are loads of wires at the switch, you can normally get away with a 35mm box for a grid dimmer IIRC.

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

There are two TWE 1.5mm switch cables, one for the downlights and one for the central light

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

just checked the depth of backbox and it's only 16mm...

333rocky333 · 2 May 2010

You may struggle even with a normal dimmer.
Can you change the box, if not you will have to go surface mount, or a white extension box.

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

Silly me, just realised that there's 12mm plasterboard around the box too so that will give a max clearance of 28mm. Looks like a standard twin dimmer and a switch module to replace one of them then. Thanks fellas.

bobdabuilda · 2 May 2010

Would one of these be ok to use on the central light with the inbuilt 12v transformer. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Manufacturers/Varilight/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_1/

It has 6 10W halogen mini bulbs.

How do you do the following 'for Tungsten Halogen Lighting and candle lamps de-rate the dimmer wattage by 25%' ??

333rocky333 · 2 May 2010

The dimmer you show and derating is for Mains halogen lamps.

You need to find what Transformer is in the fitting and get a dimmer compatible with that.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Systems/DimmerGuide.htm

bobdabuilda · 3 May 2010

It's an SELV max 80W output type. (there are 6 10W halogens in the fitting) so presumably the IQ range of LV dimmers and
Infra-red/Touch dimmers ?

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Is there such a thing as a 2gang switch AND dimmer?

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