3-Way Dimmer Switch

[Sammy_004]

Can anyone help me. I have replaced my hall lights and would like to be able to dim them. The problem is that the hall lights are controlled by 3 switches and I cannot find any 3-way dimmer switches. Does anyone know where I can get these or a way or getting aroud this problem?

 

[Ant]

I am not an electrician but I think you will find that your 3 way switching is made up of 2 2 way switches and an intermediate switch. I would imagine you could replace one of the 2 ways with a 2 way dimmer. As I say, I am not an electrician so get this verified first!

 

[dave2]

take a look at
http://www.ss-diy.com/acatalog/S_S_Products_Series_2_27.html

 

[breezer]

to be technical about it. the number of switches is called "gang" and the number of "ways" is called ways (only one or two way or intermediate)

so the switch you have is called 3 gang 2 way (2 way because you can turn the landing light off from upstairs and downstairs, so rather than have one two way and two one way switches all are 2 way.)

 

[Sammy_004]

You were spot on Ant. I was unlucky enough to remove the centre switch which was a 2 2way one. I have now installed the dimmer on one of the other switches which is just a 2way and it works....

Thanks....

 

[Ant]

Glad you got it sorted.
I presume you mean you had initially removed the intermediate switch and not a 2 way switch. The "2 2way switches" I put in my original post referred to the fact that you have two switches that are 2 way and one intermediate switch on a 3 way lighting circuit.

 

[davegriff]

Please try this website - they seem to be the cheapest for all electrical stuff

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?cId=101160&ts=49775

 

[MANDATE]

Is there such a switch as a 'intermediate dimmer'? and what would be the point in having one when the're used in conjuction with at least two 2way switches when anyone of them can be dimmers.

 

[Ant]

I think I have seen a dimmer that stated it could be wired as an intermediate switch. Perhaps the only advantage would be in being able to position the switch in any of the 3 positions and not just in place of a 2 way - an advantage if dealing with existing wiring perhaps.