Electrical – Seeking advise on replacing light switches (1-way, 2-way, 1-gang etc) (UK)

electricallightingmultiway-switchswitch

I would like to replace some wall switches ("like for like", circled red in the picture below) These are for overhead lights but i have confused myself with whether I need 1-gang, 2-gang, 2-way etc…

There are 3 bulbs, lets say bulb 1 (hall), bulb 2 (landing) and bulb 3 (office).

There are 3 switches:

  • Switch A with 2 switches on, which respectively control bulb 1 and 2
  • Switch B with 2 switches on, which respectively control bulb 2 and 3
  • Switch C with a single switch, which controls bulb 3

The 2 switches for each bulb work together in the way that if the bulb is turned on by one switch, it can be turned off by the same one or by the "other" one.

My attempt at a schematic

Which type of switches do I need to replace A and B?

The reason I am wanting to replace them is primarily cosmetic. They are working fine as-is but have become very discolored, full of paint etc over time, and I have a range of 'nicer' ones in mind as part of an overall redecoration.

NB: The wiring is such that they are only earthed to the 'box' that the switch is in, not to the earth circuit, so I know I can only have plastic-type and not the nice metal ones 🙂

Best Answer

You need

  • 2 x 2-gang 2-way and
  • 1 x 1-gang 2-way

A faceplate with two switches on is two-gang.

Note that 1-gang 1-way switches are also available, slightly cheaper; this will not work in your application.

Switches that can be wired to operate from two locations is a 2-way.

(This is UK terminology. USA terminology is different.)

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/2_Way_Switching

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