How many Gangs / Ways

[wisey]

Hi Guys,

Very basic question and I feel utterly stupid for asking it but here goes.

I have a light switch in my kitchen / diner which I am looking to replace. It has two switches on it (1 for the kitchen and 1 for the diner) and the lights cannot be operated from any other switches.

Do I need a 2 gang 1 Way switch for this ???

 

[Diyisfun]

yes

 

[wisey]

Are these readily available as I can't seem to find them in places like Screwfix ?

Thx

 

[mapj1]

A two gang 2 way can be used, just ignore the un-needed 'L2' connection, and use L1 and common (slider) as if it were a simple switch with only 2 contacts.
Or take of the existing switch and see what they have done (probably the same)...

 

[Diyisfun]

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=03574&id=16201. They all seem to be two way, its a storage/cost thing

 

[mapj1]

link bust (it will only work for the one user who initiated the search)
try searching screwfix for a 13324 or a 16201 instead

 

[plugwash]

as bas points out in for reference a two way switch can be used as a one way

making a two way switch is only marginally more expensive than making a one way (just one extra contact and screw)

extra lines cost money both for the manufacturer and distributer

most multigang switches have at least one gang used in multiway switching and multigang switches aren't hugely common so making 1 way versions as well as 2 way versions just isn't worth it

the real irritation is that multigang intermediates are extremely rare (i think you are pretty much forced into using a grid system to get theese) i think intermediates are much more complex to make than normal switches though.