Thanks both for the replies. When replacing faceplates I (of course) isolate that circuit and test for dead before commencing work. Previously I have been earthing both the plate and box with my aforementioned method but if I can go straight to the plate I will do that.
Identifying light switch wire's.
- Thread starter 5oysterman2
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Thanks both for the replies. When replacing faceplates I (of course) isolate that circuit and test for dead before commencing work. Previously I have been earthing both the plate and box with my aforementioned method but if I can go straight to the plate I will do that.
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An intermediate switch can be used for all functions, intermediate, two way or on/off. A two way can't be used as an intermediate but can be used as on/off, and on/off can only be used as on/off.
Today you can get electronic switches which don't need as many wires as simple switches, and often electronic switches have to be paired with same make however with simple switches you can mix and match.
Where the problem lies is where two, three, or four switches come on the same plate, some makes of switch only come as full single box size with single switch, and some makes you can get three switches on a single plate but not intermediate.
So often you have to find the most restrictive switch to replace and find a switch for that then get rest same make, or juggle which switch does what, so when I fitted three switch plates in bedroom and three lights, centre, left of bed, right of bed, the twin bed head switches had to be intermediate, as simply could not buy a triple switch for door with was intermediate. And even then only some makes do twin intermediate, and also do a triple two way.
I could not find any chrome switches that would do the job. Maybe made now, but not when I did it. Also found some switches need deeper boxes, so personally I would not bother playing with switches just to make them look nice, been caught out too many times.
Today you can get electronic switches which don't need as many wires as simple switches, and often electronic switches have to be paired with same make however with simple switches you can mix and match.
Where the problem lies is where two, three, or four switches come on the same plate, some makes of switch only come as full single box size with single switch, and some makes you can get three switches on a single plate but not intermediate.
So often you have to find the most restrictive switch to replace and find a switch for that then get rest same make, or juggle which switch does what, so when I fitted three switch plates in bedroom and three lights, centre, left of bed, right of bed, the twin bed head switches had to be intermediate, as simply could not buy a triple switch for door with was intermediate. And even then only some makes do twin intermediate, and also do a triple two way.
I could not find any chrome switches that would do the job. Maybe made now, but not when I did it. Also found some switches need deeper boxes, so personally I would not bother playing with switches just to make them look nice, been caught out too many times.
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