Condensing light switches?

[preecy]

I've just removed a small stud wall/door way between the entrance hall and main hall. Before the re-plastering and decorating starts i'd like to reduce the number of light switches if possible.

Photo/diagram below to give you a better idea of what i am talking about.

As you can see there's a double 2 gang switch near the front door which operates the outside light and the entrance hall light. There's a second 2 gang switch only a foot or two away (this switch was on the other side of the removed wall). This switch also operates the entrance hall light as well as the main hall light. There's a third single 1 gang switch which operates the cloakroom light. Finally there's a single 2 gang switch (not shown in the photo below) at the far end of the hall which operates the hall light.

I'd like to replace the first switch with a single 1 gang switch to operate just the outside light. I would also like to replace the second and third switch with a double 2 gange switch to operate both hall lights and the cloak room light. I assume this would mean putting the entrance hall light and main hall light on the same circuit/switch (ie: so both lights are controlled by the same switch).

You can probably tell i'm no expert with electrics. Is this do-able for a novice such as myself or should i get a pro in?

 

[EFLImpudence]

It would probably be quicker to get an electrician than explain it all.

However, from your diagram, it looks like it could be configured as you want.
If you want to do it we would need to know the connections and colours on all of the switches.


I don't understand why both the hall light switches are next to each other.

 

[preecy]

ok cheers. ill confirm the connections/colours shortly.
the house is a fairly new (less than 20yrs old). i have no idea why they though it was necessary to have this number of switches. now the wall has been removed i can literally reach both switches without taking a single step as they're in arms reach of each other.
if i got an electrician in, would this be a minimum call out job?

 

[EFLImpudence]

If the cables can be put behind the plasterboard easily, or you can do it, I wouldn't think it would cost more than that.

Let's have a go first. Tell us the connections or photo CLEARLY.

 

[preecy]

hopefully photos will make more sense than my explanation of the connections.
also, thank you for taking the time to help, its much appreciated

Switch1 (double, 2 gang - operates entrance hall light and outside light)

Switch2 (double 2 gang- operates entrance hall light and main hall light)

Switch3 (single 2 gang - operates main hall light)

i didnt bother taking a photo of the single cloakroom switch as i assumed this wasnt necessary. let me know if you need connection details.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Just come back - give me a little while.

 

[EFLImpudence]

In switch 1, can you take another pic so I can see more clearly the wires which are behind others in the first pic and

confirm that the black and blue which are near each other in the pic are NOT connected to anything.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

EFLI - I do hope that you are not planning to facilitate the OP in blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without him actually understanding why?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You can probably tell i'm no expert with electrics. Is this do-able for a novice such as myself or should i get a pro in?

It is perfectly do-able for you, provided you take the time and the trouble to learn how it all works.

Basically you have to choose between Plan A and Plan B.

PLAN A:

• Learn how lighting circuits are wired.
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting
  • http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+lighting+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:books
  • //www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:index
• Get a multimeter and learn how to use it.
• Identify which conductors are which at the switches and the light positions.
• Possibly install new cabling.
  
• Connect everything up properly.

PLAN B:

• Get an electrician.

There are some irresponsible people here who may tell you that there is a Plan C, which is to start trying to follow instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without any idea as to why. Please don't listen to them - you must know what, and truly understand what, you are doing.

 

[EFLImpudence]

EFLI - I do hope that you are not planning to facilitate the OP in blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without him actually understanding why?

I shall endeavour to work out the circuitry so that he may know which wire is which.

I've already spent longer than it would have taken to do it.

 

[mwatsonxx]

EFLI - I do hope that you are not planning to facilitate the OP in blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without him actually understanding why?

Why not? whats its got to do with you? Go way if you can't offer sensible assistance.

 

[securespark]

I don't understand why both the hall light switches are next to each other.

One on each side of the (now demolished) stud wall?

EDIT: I think I see it now. The 1 gang switch in the photo is the cloaks light switch, whereas I had assumed it was the hall switch as drawn in the diagram.

Presumably the hall switch is somewhere at the other end of the hall, away from the ex-stud wall.

Finally there's a single 2 gang switch (not shown in the photo below) at the far end of the hall which operates the hall light.

Did you mean 2 way, not 2 gang?

 

[securespark]

EFLI - I do hope that you are not planning to facilitate the OP in blindly following instructions to put-this-wire-in-that-hole without him actually understanding why?

Did you fail to get into the force?

 

[securespark]

Having drawn it all out on paper, it looks like what you want to do is remove the entrance porch light & its associated switches. Or do you want to keep the entrance porch light and connect it so that it comes on together with the hall light?

That will leave a 1 gang 1 way switch by the door for the outside light, and a 2 gang switch for the hall (2 way with the existing untouched switch at the other end of the hall) and toilet.

Are we to assume the hall/ toilet switch is being recessed where the stud wall was (ie not re-siting that switch)?

So, it is a case of identifying, disconnecting and removing the switch wiring (or connecting all cores to ground) then fixing the hall/ toilet switch box and recessing the wiring.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I shall endeavour to work out the circuitry so that he may know which wire is which.

If he had the tools which he should have, and the knowledge which he should have, he would be able to work out which wire is which.