Can I fit a one way switch where a two way is?

[Al4xs]

Bought a varilight dimmer on the assumption I could just replace the existing switch

When I removed the existing I found it to look like this.. Red circle

I dint need the other switch and don't use it

What are my options? If i have to buy more kit I'll just scrap the idea, the other switch is a pull switch.

 

[ericmark]

The wires going to L1 and L2 would go to Com and L1 on new switch. Removing wires to second switch.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Which one of the two is the "other" switch which you don't need?

 

[Al4xs]

The wires going to L1 and L2 would go to Com and L1 on new switch. Removing wires to second switch.

Combine the two wires?

Also the varilight is labeled load and live

 

[Al4xs]

Which one of the two is the "other" switch which you don't need?

The one I don't use is the one without the red ring

 

[slup]

I presume you are talking about the varilight IQ electronic touch dimmer? They make lots of different products...

If so, at the switch you no longer need, disconnect C

At the location you are installing the varilight dimmer, ignore the yellow wire and connect your dimmer to the remaining two wires. It doesn't really matter which way round, but if you get problems, swap them.

The switch you no longer need will now not function obviously. For neatness, you could replace this switch with a varilight slave dimmer module (they are pretty cheap)

 

[JohnW2]

I dint need the other switch and don't use it
What are my options? If i have to buy more kit I'll just scrap the idea, the other switch is a pull switch.

Are you saying that you want to get rid of the 'other switch' (for cosmetic reasons?). If not, why can't you just wire it exactly as before, and simply "don't use" the other switch (you could even remove it's pull cord if you wanted).

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Something will have to remain in place to extend the switch drop cable to the position where he wants the dimmer.

 

[JohnW2]

Something will have to remain in place to extend the switch drop cable to the position where he wants the dimmer.

Perhaps I misunderstood. I though he was replacing an 2-way switch (which would obviously have existing wiring), which already existed (in addition to the 'other' pull switch) with a dimmer.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He is, but he can't simply get rid of the pull switch as that's where the drop cable goes. Without it, or something in its place, there will be nothing connected to the dimmer.

 

[JohnW2]

He is, but he can't simply get rid of the pull switch as that's where the drop cable goes. Without it, or something in its place, there will be nothing connected to the dimmer.

That's was the implication of what I said to him, wasn't it? I said that, if he did not want to remove the pull-switch for cosmetic reasons, he could just leave it there, perhaps with its cord removed, and simply not use it. The implication (which I didn't go into) was surely that if he did want to get rid of the pull switch, something more would be required.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Also the varilight is labeled load and live

Remove the wire in the 'Com' terminals at both switches and terminate safely.

'Live' will be the 240V Live - should be Red or Brown but may not be.
'Load' will be the switched live to the light - should be Black or Blue but may not be.

 

[JohnW2]

Remove the wire in the 'Com' terminals at both switches and terminate safely.

...or just remove the wire in the 'Com' terminal at the switch being changed and terminate that safely (would avoid 'ceiling work'!)? I realise that the 'terminated safely' conductor might be live, but so are other things behind the switch, so I'm not sure that is much of an issue, is it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

so I'm not sure that is much of an issue, is it?

No.

It's just difficult when advising novices to know where to stop.
Just as well put it in the live terminal, really, but then disused switch must be left in correct mode.

 

[JohnW2]

so I'm not sure that is much of an issue, is it?

No. It's just difficult when advising novices to know where to stop.

Indeed- often very difficult. I was just wondering whether an approach which involved 'tinkering' in just one accessory, rather than two (particularly when the second would probably be 'tinkering whilst on a ladder') might perhaps be preferable.

Kind Regards, John