Double gang intermediate light switches?

Apr 23, 2014 20 Replies

Do they exist?



basically I have three doors in a kitchen that has 2 seperate sets of lights. we need to be able to control either set of lights from any 1 of these three doors.



I can get double gang 2 way light switches in a single gang pattress but am having difficulty finding a single pattress with 2 intermediate switches in it....



I want to avoid modular grid switches on grounds of cost and to get all the electrical accessories looking all the same (i.e. same manufacturer) within the kitchen.


Information here any use?

formatting link

I have never seen such a thing. The normal way is to use all gridswitches in the location to get them matching even if some are only single gang. Gridswitches don't look that different to normal switches esp. if from the same manufacturer. Nobody's going to notice if they are opposite ends of a room.

Blimey - interesting but it makes you realise how confusing US wiring can be. A switch with 3 terminals is not a 3 way switch. God help us if this confusion comes over here.

I had a similar sort of problem in plumbing.

I had told my contractor that I wanted what I described as a

3-way diverter. They knew I wanted it to supply overhead shower, bath filler and bath side pencil shower. Only when the box was opened to see how to connect it (after I had drawn a line diagram of the concept) did the problem become clear.

We had fallen foul of Bristan's bizarre nomenclature (1). Their three-way valve has two inputs (one to be blanked off) and two outputs. To get three outputs needs a five-way valve.

Fortunately Bristan are not too far from me, and it was swapped in the nick of time.

(1) Other manufacturers may do likewise.

Chris

If all else fails you could fall back on standard switch plus relay

NT

I've only ever been able to do this by using grid switches. Some grid switches do match (reasonably) other 'ordinary' ones from the same maker. But if your chosen switches are 'fancy' ones, no chance.

I have several - bought from MK.

Sorry - they are on the wall.

formatting link

Not MK, though. The OP wants it to match his other fittings - but doesn't say what they are.

What I did once was to remove an intermediate switch off the (single) backplate it came on and fix it to another backplate in place of a two way switch. That was when they were screwed on. might not be so easy when they are "plastic welded" in place.

Other than the terminology (3 way rather than 2 way, and 4 way rather than crossover) its pretty much the same as we do (without the wirenuts!))

formatting link

That does create a bit of a problem when trying to answer the question doesn't it:-)?

Of course CLICK electrical switches are designed for this. It's called modular not grid.

I normally use Marbo stuff from Screwfix.....

At a push if I could keep costs down I night consider using modular for all light switches in the kitchen as the ouside door will have two extra switches for outside lights that need to be 2 way on - off - on to give permanently on or Permanently Off or PIR automatic.

Contactum 2 gang intermediate - fairly similar to Marbo

formatting link

Don't think I've ever seena center off "light switch" or switch module. Do you need it anyway? Many PIRs will latch into permenant on if you toggle the power to them a couple of times over a couple of seconds.

On 23 Apr 2014, "Dave Liquorice" grunted:

Intermediate switches aren't 'centre off'; they just toggle up or down just like a 2-way switch, only the lights are controllable from three places rather than two.

We have one 2-gang one here which controls the landing light from downstairs and at either end of the (long) landing; sorry OP, no idea what brand it is.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required