Can I link connections in a light switch? (Ed.)

[BigBissBSC]

Hi All,

I currently have a 3 gang switch controlling a dining room ceiling light, a kitchen ceiling light and kitchen under cabinet lights.

Is it acceptable to drop this switch down to a 2 gang switch and simply connect the both lives and switched lives of the kitchen lights into one switch (into their respective COM and L1) so they both come on at the same time?

Thanks.

 

[ETAF]

do you have a photo of the switch wiring - there maybe a link anyway for LIVE

 

[BigBissBSC]

Hi,

Yup, attached.

 

[ETAF]

as suspected already a link - assuming as you look at the switch its the 2 gangs on left
or the photo - 2 on the right

 

[AndyPRK]

Are the switches not physically next to each other? So you can just put your finger in the correct place to turn 2 on at a time?

or use 2 fingers, 1 per switch

 

[ericmark]

I depends if all on the same circuit or not. My 4 gang light switch at the front door as three circuits, one is extra low voltage, two are low voltage (230 volt) on middle floor lighting circuit, and one is low voltage on the upper floor lighting circuit.

My landing light has a relay so the two wires at bottom are not low voltage but extra low voltage. And with my relay you would damage it with 230 volt. And when I moved in we had a borrowed neutral situation likely from when the house was built, in that 4 gang switch that needed correcting or the RCBO's would trip.

In your case now seen switch they are clearly all the same circuit so yes can be combined.

 

[ebee]

I would not recommend mixing low voltage (example 230v etc) and Extra Low Voltage on the same switchplate, I think it too easy for the differing voltage bands to become mixed by accident or by mistake. A separate back box and switchplate for each would be my recommendation, although anybody working on them (opening up for access) "should" check the voltages first it would not be common for a DIYer to do so first in reality.
Some kind of durable label on the outside would likely look a mess and inside might be missed but admittedly would reduce the risks a bit but I would still advise not to mix them on the same switchplate though.

 

[Murdochcat]

The thing to check first is :

switch both lights on
Go to fuseboard and check that when you turn 1 circuit breaker off, they both go off
If they are on seperate circuits you are strongly advised not to combine them

 

[EFLImpudence]

All three are supplied by the one line conductor.

 

[Murdochcat]

All three are supplied by the one line conductor.

But very relevant for any other DIYers reading this thread