Help with replacing double light switch with a single dimmer

[BabsLordMmm]

I am looking to replace a double light socket (which operates the kitchen and lounge lighting) with a single dimmer switch solely to operate the kitchen light.

After searching the forums and guides on the site i'm unsure which wires i need to block and which ones to reconnect to the new dimmer switch. Any help would be gratefully recieved!

Untitled

• BabsLordMmm
• 22 Nov 2011
• 1

Switch 1 operates the secondary lounge light
Switch 2 operates the kitchen light (which i want to connect to dimmer)

The new dimmer has connections labelled L1, L2 and C. Many thanks J

 

[333rocky333]

Is the lounge light Two way with another switch and do you intend to still use that lounge light from the other switch

 

[BabsLordMmm]

Hi 333rocky333 yes it's a two way lounge switch and i want to still use it from the lounge one. It's a small flat!
Thanks

 

[chivers67]

Looking at that the three core cable should be controlling the lounge.

The two T&E I would have thought should be controlling the kitchen, the reds from these two should go into L1 and Common on the first gang of your new dimmer,

The yellow to the common on the second gang switch and the blue and red to L1/L2 respectively

 

[BabsLordMmm]

Thanks Chivers not sure if i follow your reply, which is greatly appreciated btw

The lounge switch (3 wires - switch 1) is the one i want to block off as it's a two way switch. As for connecting the new dimmer does that mean i connect (2 red wires - Switch 2) L1 to L1 and L2 to C respectively?

 

[chivers67]

Sorry re read you original post.

The two way switching will need to be removed on the other switch in the living room otherwise it will stop working. It should have two cables in the other back box/switch. The three core cable will have to be removed in that as well and the T&E re terminated - post a picture of this just in case as sometimes things are done differently.

Yes one red to L1 and one to common.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Switch 1 for the Lounge:

Join L1 and L2 with a piece of insulated terminal strip.
Insulate L3 (blue) with a piece of insulated terminal strip.

That should leave the other switch operational.

Switch 2 for the Kitchen:

L1 and L2 go to Common and L1 on the dimmer.

Some switches are marked L1/L2/L3 and others are marked Common/L1/L2.

 

[BabsLordMmm]

That's great thanks again for getting back

Just taken a slightly blurry pic of the back of the lounge switch

Untitled

• BabsLordMmm
• 22 Nov 2011
• 1

L1 is Yellow (Top)
L2 has 2 x Red (Bottom Right)
L3 has 1 x Blue & 1 x Red (Bottom Left)

 

[BabsLordMmm]

Switch 1 for the Lounge:

Join L1 and L2 with a piece of insulated terminal strip.
Insulate L3 (blue) with a piece of insulated terminal strip.

That should leave the other switch operational.

Switch 2 for the Kitchen:

L1 and L2 go to Common and L1 on the dimmer.

Some switches are marked L1/L2/L3 and others are marked Common/L1/L2.

Hello just got your reply. I have posted a pic of the wiring in lounge switch (the other end of the two way i want to block off)

Does this alter the solution you posted before i try it?

Kind Regards J

 

[ban-all-sheds]

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting

 

[333rocky333]

No need to touch that switch really can all be done at the kitchen like owain said

 

[BabsLordMmm]

Switch 1 for the Lounge:

Join L1 and L2 with a piece of insulated terminal strip.
Insulate L3 (blue) with a piece of insulated terminal strip.

That should leave the other switch operational.

Switch 2 for the Kitchen:

L1 and L2 go to Common and L1 on the dimmer.

Some switches are marked L1/L2/L3 and others are marked Common/L1/L2.

It works! Thanks Owain, Chivers & Rocky all of you really helpful

 

[OwainDIYer]

Good.

Before you put the dimmer switch on, label the wires behind it for the lounge in case someone wants to reinstate 2-way switching at a later date.

 

[333rocky333]

Is the lounge switch working the right way up,
You had a 50/50 chance of it being upside down.
Although easy to rectify if it was