Combining two light switches?

[simondyntDBeK]

Hi,

I've knocked through between a master bed and a smaller bedroom. I'd now like to combine the two lights into one so that whichever room's switch is turned on/off, both sets of lights will go on/off together.

Does that make sense? Would it be relatively simple?

Cheers

Simon

 

[pdcelec]

yes

 

[plugwash]

the following assumes that standard british light wiring conventions have been followed. That is there is a single run of twin and earth running from each light to it's corresponding switch in which the red wire is the permanent live and the black wire (which should be marked with red tape or sleeving but usually isn't) is the switched live. It also assumes that the lights are on the same circuit.

If a cable is to the new color code replace red with brown and black with blue in the instructions below.

at each switch disconnect the existing wiring and if the swtich is a 1 way switch chuck it in the box of spare bits and get a 2 way switch to replace it with.

at each switch connect the red wire of the existing switch drop to L1 and the black wire of the existing switch drop to L2 connect the earth to the faceplate if it is metal and the earth terminal in the backbox otherwise.

run a new peice of twin and earth between the switches. At both ends connect the red wire to com and the black wire to L2. connect the earth to the faceplate if it is metal and the earth terminal in the backbox otherwise.

remember to mark the black cores with red tape or sleeving to show they are live.

 

[simondyntDBeK]

Thanks plugwash for those excellent instructions.

Will have a go this week and let you know how I get on

Cheers

Simon

 

[Steve]

chuck it in the box of spare bits

Its not just me that has one of these then?! Full of all sorts of rubbish!

 

[CallEdsFirst]

chuck it in the box of spare bits

Its not just me that has one of these then?! Full of all sorts of rubbish!

I believe the "Random Tat Box" as they are officially titled, is actually a Part P requirement!

 

[simondyntDBeK]

Just a quick thanks to plugwash - have just done the job and it worked spot on first time.

Your instructions were clear and made the job a doddle - cheers!

Simon