Can I replace two single switches with one triple switch?

[Mottie]

As above. I’m decorating my hall and we have two switches tight together - one double (for the upstairs and downstairs hall/landing lights) and one dimmer for the wall lights. The Mrs wants to do away with a dimmer and just have one double size switch with three switches on it. Is it just a matter of removing that bar in the middle? Will the screw holes in a standard double size switch line up with the back box I already have? I don’t want to have to dig this one out of the wall and make more work for myself. Thanks.

 

[rsgaz]

Will the screw holes in a standard double size switch line up with the back box I already have?

No, what you've got is much wider.

 

[JohnW2]

The Mrs wants to do away with a dimmer and just have one double size switch with three switches on it. Is it just a matter of removing that bar in the middle? Will the screw holes in a standard double size switch line up with the back box I already have? I don’t want to have to dig this one out of the wall and make more work for myself. Thanks.

As you've been told, you cannot do that, since two single accessories are much wider than one double one.

However, what you could do would be to use a 3-gang single-width switch and put a 'blanking plate in place of the second swithch ...

(many makes/appearances are available)

Kind Regards, John

 

[Mottie]

Oh balls! Was changing them for chrome switches so I’ll just have to change like for like. The worse of three evils - a single dimmer and a double single will look better than a single and a double or a triple and a blanking plate.
Thanks anyway.

 

[JohnW2]

Oh balls! Was changing them for chrome switches so I’ll just have to change like for like. The worse of three evils - a single dimmer and a double single will look better than a single and a double or a triple and a blanking plate.

There would obviously be a bit of 'making good' required, but it should not be much of a job to take out that dual back box and replace it with a double one. If the changed mattered that much to me, that's certainly what I would do.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

The other risk is that the chrome sockets are slightly wider and will not fit that dual box.

I've certainly had that problem with a twin+single combo dryliner box in the past.

 

[Mottie]

The other risk is that the chrome sockets are slightly wider and will not fit that dual box. I've certainly had that problem with a twin+single combo dryliner box in the past.

There would obviously be a bit of 'making good' required, but it should not be much of a job to take out that dual back box and replace it with a double one. If the changed mattered that much to me, that's certainly what I would do.Kind Regards, John

Dammit! You’re both right. While I’m doing it, I might as well do it properly.

 

[securespark]

take out that dual back box and replace it with a double one

Depends if you want a three gang switch on a 2 gang plate, or a three gang switch on a 1 gang plate.

 

[Mottie]

I’m going for the three gang switch on the two gang plate. Any suggestions for quality chrome switches and sockets or shall I just get what B&Q have on their shelves? I need 1x3 gang switch, 3x1 gang switches, 1 single and 1 double socket.

 

[securespark]

I'm not sure the above is common, without using a grid system.

Most are a three gang on a square plate.

Are you looking for Matt Chrome or polished?

 

[Mottie]

Polished chrome.

 

[securespark]

Not sure this looks very polished...

https://socketstore.co.uk/products/...-chrome-switch-3-gangtwin-platemetal-switches

Maybe it's the wrong piccy. The description says mirror finish.

Varilight do flatplate too, but you would need deeper boxes for all those accessories.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Polished chrome.

I hope you like greasy finger marks.

 

[Mottie]

I've seen these - nice, but at £82 a bit pricey! I wonder what so special about them?

https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/3-gang-chrome-grid-switch-nickel-bevelled-plate-3260chniz

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I wonder what so special about them?

The price.