2 gang switch in double box

[mayday]

Hello,

I have a 4 gang switch configured only with 2 lighting circuits (I guess 2 have been recovered / redundent over the years). To avail my frustration of constantly pressing a dud switch (only 2 of them work remember), I want to replace the 4 gang to a 2 gang....... only I cannot find a 2 gang switch plate. Does one exist? I dont really want to dig out and replace the double box with a single if I can help it.

Thanks.

[Owain]

The options would be:

1. Replace with a 4 gang gridswitch, two switches and two blanks.
2. Replace with a 'dual' box which is slightly wider than a double, and takes 2 single switch plates. This would involve digging out some wall, but if you do it carefully shouldn't need any making good - if that is the real issue.

Owain

[Andrew Gabriel]

MK Grid switch system has both 4 slot and 3 slot frames for 2 gang boxes. You can get blank modules to fill the unused slots. The larger B&Q stores do them. There are also modular switch plates you can make up (several manufacturers), and one of these might look better as the blank modules blend in better with the background.

[mayday]

Thanks for your reply, but I believe the grid systems require a different metal box to the standard ones that is in the wall, so I'd still have to open up the wall around the box to replace anyway.

Thanks for your thoughts though!

[Mike]

Don't believe so - I have a 3 gang MK gridswitch replacing an old 4 gang in a double box. All I needed to do was retap the threads in the flanges from

4BA to the metric threads used on the grid mounting plate.

The metal is soft as butter so a spare correclty sized fixing bolt will recut the thread failry well if you don;t have taps.

Mike

[mayday]

I just need a 2 gang double width plate, must be something on the market? (even with wide rocker switches for the large of fingered people)....

Thanks.

[Andrew Gabriel]

[Sparks]

If all else fails, get a 4 gang, two way set, then wire two switches per light!

Sparks...

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Is the existing box plaster depth?

[shaun]

No - they don't. I've got plenty of grid system switches (and very nice they are too) and they are just fitted to standard back boxes.

[Tim Morley]

Yes they are different, and a lot deeper !

[Dave Plowman (News)]

No such thing, really. They come in different depths, and grid switches require deeper boxes than plate types.

[Christian McArdle]

The official boxes might be deeper. However, there is no need for all that depth when fitting a 2 gang switch plate to a double box.

Christian.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Most plate switches will fit in plaster depth (16mm) boxes - nasty things. Grid switches require a deeper box - normally at least 25mm, as do many dimmers. Hence I never use plaster depth boxes. ;-)

[Christian McArdle]

2 gang plaster depth are pretty unusual, though. The official grid ones are much deeper than standard 25mm ones.

Christian.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

That maybe, but they exist. Pretty sure MK still list them.

I didn't know there was an official grid box for one and two gang - I just use standard ones. Suppose the only real difference is grid ones will have fixed lugs and to the sides only. Multi grid boxes would be specials, though.

35mm deep is my usual choice for near anything as it gives plenty clearance for cables without faffing about.

[David Hansen]

On Tue, 16 May 2006 12:16:35 +0100 someone who may be "Christian McArdle" wrote this:-

I used a two gang 25mm box for a gridswitch which has one two way, two one way and one neon indicator modules. A three core and earth cable enters from one direction and such a cable and a single emerge to go to various lights. Plenty of space for wires in it.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yes. Of course it may depend on the grid manufacturer. I've just looked at the current MK range - I've only got one grid example of that here - and it would fit a 25mm deep box.