"Nick Lockett" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
>
> "Rigga" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Nick Lockett wrote:
> >
> > > "Rigga" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > >> Hi,
> > >>
> > >> I need to wire in a 2 gang 1 way light switch and have a mental block
> on
> > >> what I need to do. On the back of the switch it has the following:
> > >>
> > >> L1
> > >> L2
> > >> a wavy line with an arrow through it (whats this?)
> > >>
> > >> I thought that I would just need to have my live feed in to L1 and
the
> > >> switch live comming from L2, but seeing the wavy line with arrow
> through
> > > it
> > >> has confused me!, is this the common? do i not need to use it as I am
> not
> > >> doing 2 way switching?
> > >>
> > >> Any help appreciated.
> > >>
> > >> Thanks
> > >>
> > >> Reg
> > >
> > > It sounds to me as if your switch is a single pole double throw. The
> > > common (wavy line with arrow) is connected to L1 in one position and
L2
> in
> > > the other. Use the common for the live feed and either L1 or L2 as the
> > > switched live. There is often some indication whether to use L1 or L2
so
> > > the switch conforms to the usual UK convention of up for Off and down
> for
> > > On. If in doubt, check it out with a continuity tester.
> > > Nick.
> > Thanks for clearing that up for me, its a dimmer switch so I guess trial
> and
> > error will prevail for wheter I use L1 or L2.
> >
> Your original post didn't say that it was a dimmer switch. The information
> I've given you is therefore wrong and following it may well damage the
> switch. I suggest you get some advice from a shop that sells similar
> switches if nobody else in this group has the answer.
> Nick.
>
If it's a "twist to fade", and "press for on/off" type switch, then....
Connect one wire to the Common and the other to L1.
It won't dim the "wrong" way, because L1 and L2 are effectively providing a
2-way facility independent of, but in the same box as, the dimmer. So if
you wanted to, you could have a second switch (not another dimmer, though)
to switch light on and off, but brightness will still be controlled by your
dimmer.
If you're not using a 2nd switch, then it doesn't matter which wire goes to
Common and which to L1.
Obviously, remember to isolate mains supply before doing anything, and make
sure you don't overload the dimmer switch (check wattage marked on switch,
and compare with total wattage of the lights it controls)
HTH
--
Martin
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