Bathroom light switches - 1 or 2 way?

[NBee]

Hi all.

Please could you tell me how I can find out if my bathroom light switch is 1 or 2 way? I'm not really sure what that means, what's the difference?

Also, I live in an upper maisonette. Would it be safe to assume that, whatever type mine is, my downstairs neighbour's would be the same?

Many thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hi all.

Please could you tell me how I can find out if my bathroom light switch is 1 or 2 way?

Open it up and look to see if it has 2 terminals or 3...

I'm not really sure what that means, what's the difference?

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:single-way-lighting

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:two-way-lighting

But a 2-way switch can be used as a 1-way. If you can only turn your bathroom light on and off from one switch, you've got 1-way switching (but it might still be a 2-way switch), if you can turn it on and off from two switches you've got 2-way switching.

Why do you want to know? Is it so you can buy a new switch? If so then unless you have 2-way switching you don't have to use a 2-way switch, but you can.

Also, I live in an upper maisonette. Would it be safe to assume that, whatever type mine is, my downstairs neighbour's would be the same?

No.

 

[NBee]

Many thanks.

Yes, they are both single pull cords from within the bathroom, no other 2nd switch, so the chances are high that it's a 1 way.

I want to replace both the switches with new ones that are hopefully quieter (we can hear each other). I can find 1 way ones that are suitable, but am having problems finding cheap 2 way ones.

In an earlier thread when I asked about this, I was advised that switches by Volex or Crabtree would be my best bet for quietness.

 

[NBee]

Right - now I have to contend with the choice of 6amp or 16amp.

I think that 6A is for standard light switches, whereas 16A is for other circuits such as heaters, showers etc... is that correct?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yup - 6A for lights.

Don't ever try to use a 16A for a shower though...

When was the property built?

 

[NBee]

It's a 1930s Maisonette.

 

[chappers]

bloody hell they must be making one hell of a noise or someone must have a serious incontinence problem if you are bothering each other that much. as someone has already said you can use either one-way or two-way which ever suits your needs better