Changing 1 Gang to 2 Gang Switch

[mm3973]

I currently have my kitchen ceiling light on a single switch, Can I swop this for a 2 gang switch and add my low voltage U/Cabinet lights. These do not have an independent live supply.

Any help appreciated !!

 

[sparkydude]

Unless their is a neutral connection at your switch then No ,, you may be lucky and find that the feeds have been looped in the switches, but then you probably wont only option in this case is to either put a fused spur on your ring main and then use that as your mains supply for them , or rewire the switch line to provide a neutral at the switch position.

Nick

 

[mm3973]

Thanks Nick,

I know I sound incredibly thick (electrics really arn't my thing I'm afraid!) how do I tell if their is a neutral at the switch?

 

[sparkydude]

If you ease the switch forward then you might or might not see a couple of black cables in a connector block in the back of the box, if not, then you have no neutral.

Nick

 

[mm3973]

Thanks again, I have one red, one black - I'm assuming I have a neutral ?

I should stick to DIY plumbing - Its so much simpler, and I can swim

 

[sparkydude]

No you do not have a neutral, the black should be marked as a red, the power comes to the switch on the red core, then returns to the light on the black core, In your case you have no Neutral at the switch .

Nick

 

[mm3973]

OK Thanks again for your help - think Im gonna have to call in the experts for this one, way out my league by the sounds of things

 

[breezer]

it is in the wiki, but better safe than sorry