Is it possible to have "full" and "dim" lightswitches?

[farticus]

Is is possible to have two light switches for one light, one of which turns it on full and one of which comes on dim?

I've seen some wifi dimmer modules have provision for a simple on/off switch as well. Is there any kind of dumb non-wifi dimmer module like that, where I can just set the dimming to a fixed level?

 

[JohnW2]

Is is possible to have two light switches for one light, one of which turns it on full and one of which comes on dim?

As far as I am aware (maybe most/all? - you'd need to check) dimmers/modules will tolerate being 'bypassed' by a simple switch - so I imagine you could do it with, say, a push on/off dimmer module with a conventional switch 'across it'. Others may have experience of actually doing this.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

Some dimming switches are turn to set dimming level and pull-push to turn on/off. Is that what you are after?

 

[JohnW2]

Some dimming switches are turn to set dimming level and pull-push to turn on/off. Is that what you are after?

That's the sort of "push on/off dimmer" I was talking about but, as I said, to achieve what the OP wants there would have to be a conventional on/off switch in parallel with it (provided that the dimmer didn't mind power being applied to its output - which is the thing that would need to be checked).

As I understand it, what the OP wants is three states:
OFF
ON-Dimmed
ON-'Full'

... (without having to twiddle the knob to get from full to dimmed) ... which, as I said, could be done with a dimmer and conventional switch in parallel, provided the dimmer was happy with that.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Mottie]

We have Hive controlled bulbs in our lounge lamps, hall lamp and porch and drive lamps. Can be controlled by an app on a phone or tablet but we also have them connected to our Alexa. They are all set on a timer to come on and go off but if we want them on earlier, we can just say "Alexa, lounge lamps on, 50%” or "Alexa, goodnight" and they all switch off. A bit more than a simple switch, I know, but could be a solution for the OP.

 

[farticus]

As I understand it, what the OP wants is three states:
OFF
ON-Dimmed
ON-'Full'

Yes, that's exactly what I want. Thanks.

 

[333rocky333]

As far as I am aware (maybe most/all? - you'd need to check) dimmers/modules will tolerate being 'bypassed' by a simple switch - so I imagine you could do it with, say, a push on/off dimmer module with a conventional switch 'across it'. Others may have experience of actually doing this.

Kind Regards, John

When we done pubs we used a Dimmer in conjuction with a 2 position centre off switch, then there independant, though you would likely need to mount them on a 2 gang gridplate

 

[farticus]

When we done pubs we used a Dimmer in conjuction with a 2 position centre off switch, then there independant, though you would likely need to mount them on a 2 gang gridplate

Any idea where I might buy something like that? Or what keywords to search for? I can't find any...

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Pre-electronics, a traditional was was to have two lamps of equal wattage able to be switched in series (dim) or parallel (bright).

 

[333rocky333]

I think these are the ones, you do not need a springy one, other makes and colours are available, but they only fit there own front plates, so special dimmer will be needed to fit that frontplate too match your lamp type, also will need a metal grid.
Frontplates are a choice of colours too.

Screwfix may sell some bits too.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...0h5zUeltQxDfM6k1qn536zxUNFWAX2MxoCF_8QAvD_BwE


https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...Y3bUQFNlGP4epTWLboPJS_uJ_IdqRtLxoCA0MQAvD_BwE

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...PXH709_-bpbKGalKsSAAntx8B5jiSGEhoCCHYQAvD_BwE

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...23_n_SjoNguln3sxYEAX2XpFmQ9mao5RoCb3sQAvD_BwE

 

[RobTi]

I use a Shelly dimmer 2 with a 3 way retractive switch which allows you with a single click to come on at your set dimmer level and a double click it comes on at full brightness, this type. https://www.electricalcounter.co.uk...ition+Retractive+Switch+Module+20AX/496379247

 

[Mottie]

What about a double switch with one feeding directly 240 volts and the other going through a resistor so both switches up, light off, left switch on, 50%, right switch on, 100%. Would that work?

 

[winston1]

What about a double switch with one feeding directly 240 volts and the other going through a resistor so both switches up, light off, left switch on, 50%, right switch on, 100%. Would that work?

Very wasteful of power and lots of heat to dissipate.

 

[farticus]

Yeah I'd want a proper dimmer that chops the waveform.

Maybe the simplest option is to have two lighting circuits, but I am struggling to find a bathroom light fixture that takes two separate bulbs.

 

[JohnW2]

Maybe the simplest option is to have two lighting circuits, but I am struggling to find a bathroom light fixture that takes two separate bulbs.

As has been said, there are ways you can do it with just a single fitting (with a single bulb).

Kind Regards, John