i have a two way two gang switch which has six terminals on the back each side has "1way and com on the top and on the bottom of the switch is 2way, can i use this to operate two separate lights in one room

derek55, April 2013

hey peccavi,its gts here your fond o this lord Finchley I see ,lighting circuits are very simple,to me any way,but have been a spark for over 40 years,so they should be ,:-)

gts, April 2013

and two way switching arrangement has the live supply going to common switch one,l1 and l2 are connected together l1 to l1 l2 to l2 the feed to the light is connected to the common on switch two and this goes to the rose very simple circuit

mm, April 2013

never said he couldent mate,but its an old fashioned way of doing it I use loop in loop out to the ceiling rose so you have a switch wire going to the switch,some guys use loop in loop out to the switch back box so you have neutrals there,and live feeds to the other switches,this is where you have common lives looped to each switch ,I don't use this method because if you want to run a feed for say a smoke detector (single)upstair,you can take it of the rose,

mm, April 2013

No dear chap - absolutely correct - as is your description of how they would usually be wired.

He CAN use this switch assembly to control two lights independently - but how to wire it is another matter.

Peccavi, April 2013

not quite right peccavi.the way we norm wire these switches is to have a feed going to the common on switch one looped to the common on switch two,then the l1 on one side goes to one light,and l1 on other switch goes to the second light,thats if the lights are NOT two way,

mm, April 2013

Two switches on the same plate is a 2 Gang arrangement.

Two way actually means operating one light from two separate switches as you often find on a stair landing with a switch upstairs and another downstairs.

Your two switches are Single Pole Double Throw meaning that the Com or common terminal is connected to either L1 or L2 as the switch is operated.

They are on the same plate but are electrically independent from one another - no connection between them.

Remember Lord Finchley...

Lord Finchley tried to mend the Electric Light
Himself. It struck him dead: And serve him right!
It is the business of the wealthy man
To give employment to the artisan.

Peccavi, April 2013