2 way light wiring and extra light

Iggy13 · Post by **Iggy13** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:05 pm

I need some help on light wiring in my hallway. Firstly both ends of my hallway will have dimmer switches to control downlighters in a typical 2 way wiring. One of the dimmers is near my house entrance where there is an outside light which i want to control independantly to the hallway. Can i fit a a 2 gang 2 way dimmer at the entrance and control these lights. If so, how can i wire them up as am using a junction box system. Any help would be appreciated.

jason123 · Post by **jason123** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:17 am

I'd say yes, you must have a 3 core and earth already installed for your hall lights, a short jumper will have the second switch live. Please await sane electricians advise

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:35 pm

i am not 100% sure what you are asking m8.
it sound slike you are asking if you can use a 2-gang dimmer on one switch by your back door (controlling two seperate lights)

if that is all you want to do, then yes you can as long as the outside light does not have an energy saving lamp in it or a sensor on it.

the existing installation will determine which way you will need to connect it. as mentioned above, 3-core & earth is the traditional method nowadays but depending on the age of your existing wiring, you may find it's singles (live wired to each switch) with strappers wired to the 2nd switch on the circuit.

if you can explain "exactly" what it is you are trying to achieve in more detail, i will describe every aspect of it for you, including exactly how to connect it.

however, if you were asking what i 1st thought you were, can you connect a dimmer switch at each end? then no you cannot.

if you emant that you wanted this....

a dimmer by your back door for the wall lights and then a dimmer for a different light at the other end, then yes you can but i need to know exactly what you mean.

sorry if it seems vague but to be correct you need to ask in a way that explains fully your requirements

Iggy13 · Post by **Iggy13** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:35 pm

Sorry for not responding sooner but been on night shift. Anyway, I'll try an be clearer about my wiring. In the hallway will be 3 X 50w mains operated downlighters and at one end i will be fitting a single dimmer and at the other end i would also like to put another dimmer with the usual arrangement by using 3 core cable. My only problem is that over the front door is an external light which i need to control independantly to the downlighters. Basically i don't want to put 2 switches next to each other, one for the downlighters and one for the outside light. So what i was thinking that maybe a 2G 2Way dimmer could be utilised but was not sure of the wiring arrangement.

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:01 pm

are you saying you want to be able to dim the spot lights at both ends?
if so, you don't fit dimmers at both ends of a two-way lighting circuit m8. you switch one end and dimmer on the other.

if you are asking if it is possible to get a dimmer and ordinary switch on a 2-gang plate, then yes you can.
you need to build one up with a yolk/grid switch & grid dimmer.

the wiring side of it is fairly simple depending on how it is wired at the moment.

if you could provide some pictures of your existing layout i will happily explain how to connect it.

jason123 · Post by **jason123** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:36 pm

Heres a novel solution, ouch on the price though

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 8&ts=99738

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:37 am

jason123 wrote:Heres a novel solution, ouch on the price though

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 8&ts=99738

go to the electrical wholesalers m8, you'll pay less than half that. screwfix are VERY expensiveon that item although they are usually fairly evenly matched.[/b]