I have a problem with a 3 gang switch - left controls an inside light, centre 2 spots and right 3 outside lights. When I turn the 2 spots on they and the 3 outside lights all flicker...

I live overseas so the wiring is only loosely based on UK standards but looking at the back of the switch there is a common terminal top centre and others bottom left and bottom right. Then there are terminals labelled 2 top left, top right and centre bottom and terminals labelled 1 top centre, bottom left and bottom right.

There is a live feed going in to the top common terminal and then a short cable from that to the bottom right common and another short run from bottom right to the bottom left common.

The cable to the inside light is connected to the top right terminal, that to the 3 outside lights to the top left terminal and the one to the 2 spots to the bottom centre.

Getting hold of a decent electrician is a challenge so I would appreciate any help with this problem.

Thanks a lot!

SimonG, May 2010

Have they always done that, and if not when did they start doing it?

Try taking some of the bulbs out (eg 2 of the outside lights, one of the spotlight) and see if the remaining lights flicker.

Adam, May 2010