10 Things to Consider When Buying Double gang European deisgn lighting switch

Buying light switches seems like an easy purchase, but when faced with all the options, you may realise it&#;s not as simple as you think. So, before you buy, it&#;s worth doing your research to ensure you get the right switches for your needs. 

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This buying guide tells you all you need to know about light switches. It covers how they work, what &#;gangs&#; and &#;ways&#; mean and the types and styles of light switches available. We also look at other types of switches and give tips on fitting light switches and things to consider before buying. 

Light switches are made up of three main parts:

1. A backplate is recessed into a wall 
2. The electrical wiring is housed inside the backplate 
3. A faceplate is the visible part with the switch. 

The wires within the switch are connected to the home&#;s consumer unit and light fitting through electrical cables hidden in the walls and ceilings. The faceplate is then wired to the backplate to form an electrical circuit. Flicking the switch to the off position breaks the circuit, so the light goes off. 

There are many types of light switches available. Some only control a single light, while others can have multiple switches to control multiple lights from one place.  

Homeowners or businessowners often replace their light switches simply because they want to update them to suit their room décor. But, for safety, they should be replaced if they&#;re showing any of the following signs of wear and tear: 

• Crackling or popping sounds when the switch is on 
• The switch or faceplate feels hot 
• A delay between flicking the switch and the light coming on 
• The switch feels loose 

Smart Switch Types

Smart light switches are like standard light switches, but with the added benefit of internet connectivity. Using WiFi, they connect to an app on a smartphone or tablet and allow users to turn lights on and off any time, from anywhere, automate them with schedules or set timers. They can also be connected to other smart devices as part of a more extensive smart home system. Read our smart plugs and switches buying guide to find out more. 

Smart light switches offer many benefits. For example, they can help reduce energy bills because users can check to ensure lights have been turned off when they&#;re not at home. Some even have built-in energy monitors. They also increase security as lights can be turned on remotely at night to deter burglars if no one is home. And they offer convenience because lights can be controlled with a voice command through a smart speaker. 

Smart light switches are available with dimmer functions and come in 1 or 2-ways and up to 4-gangs. 

Appliance Switch Types

Appliance switches are installed in kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms. They are used to control power to appliances, such as cookers, washing machines and dishwashers. They&#;re typically installed in easy to reach areas, such as above a worktop because the location of the appliance would otherwise make access to the power source difficult.  

There are many types of appliance switches available. Some come pre-labelled with the name of the appliance, making it quick to identify when the power needs to be switched off in an emergency. Pull-cord versions are available for bathrooms to control electric showers and extractor fans. Some faceplates combine appliance switches with a switched socket. And many come with red lights to indicate when the power is switched on.  Appliance switches are available in a choice of styles and finishes, so a suitable switch can be found to suit any home&#;s décor. 

The most common light switches are white plastic. But there&#;s a wide range of other, more decorative colours and finishes available, so homeowners can match their switches to their décor. 

For example, other light switch colours available from Screwfix include black, brown, cream, grey and blue. Then there are metal effect switches, such as steel, brass, bronze, chrome, copper, iridium, and silverl. These metal effects can come in different finishes, such as gloss, matt, antique, brushed, polished or satin. Finally, there are even some more unusual switches, such as glass switches and wood effect switches. 

Switches also come with different profiles, describing how the switch stands out from the wall. For example, raised profiles with rounded or square edges stand a few millimetres out from the wall. There are slim raised profiles that stand out less. And there are flat profiles that are almost flush with the wall. 

And finally, switches can be screwed or screwless. On screwed switches, the screws are visible. But a screwless switch has a clip-on faceplate which means there are no visible screws. 

It&#;s always important to do your research before buying switches to ensure you&#;re getting the right product for your needs. 

Here are four other things to consider: 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Double gang European deisgn lighting switch. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

1. How many separate light fittings do you want to control?

If you're planning to change or add switches throughout a home, it's worth thinking ahead about how many switches you need to ensure you get the right amount. Go from room to room and count how many lights need to be controlled. Then work out if any of these can be combined on a 2-gang, 3-gang or 4-gang switch and whether, in some cases, you need to control one light with multiple switches.

2. What colour or finish are you looking for?

White plastic switches are often the default switch people go for but consider if other colours and finishes would suit the décor better. For example, brushed or polished chrome or slate grey are perfect finishes to match contemporary décor. Or if the décor is more traditional, there&#;s antique brass or wood effects. Also, think about how the colours will complement or match other items in the room, such as appliances, door handles or window openings. And don&#;t forget, you can choose different colours and finishes for different rooms if necessary.

3. Do you want a dimmer switch?

Dimmer switches are ideal for rooms where people want to relax in softer light, such as living rooms and bedrooms. So, consider if a dimmer switch is needed. If so, ensure the light bulb used in the connected fitting is compatible with a dimmer switch. If not, simply change the light bulb.

4. Smart compatibility

If the home already has other smart devices installed (i.e., smart security, plugs, speakers etc.), smart switches can be connected to them to create automation. For example, you can set up an automation where the lights switch off automatically when a room is empty. If there are no other smart devices installed yet, consider what may be needed in future. Either way, always check that smart devices are compatible with each other. 

When shopping for light switches and electrical circuits, two terms often come up: gangs and ways. For example, you may see a 1 gang, 2-way switch. It can be quite confusing to figure out what exactly this means. Understanding the differences between them can help when choosing the right setup for your home lighting.

Gangs

A 3 Gang switch on a Double Plate in Bronze and Brushed Brass

Gangs are the number of switches that are installed in a single location, side by side, within the same plate. A gang describes how many switches are grouped together in a single unit, with each controlling a different light or electrical fixture.

For example

• A 1 Gang switch setup controls one light or fixture.
• A 2 Gang switch setup has two separate switches, each controlling a different light or fixture. In a room with multiple light fixtures, a double-gang switch would allow you to control two separate lights from the same wall panel. This setup is common in rooms with overhead lighting and additional fixtures like ceiling fans or sconces.
• If needed, you can have a 3 Gang, 4 Gang, or 6 Gang on a double switch plate, depending on how many switches are needed.

Ways

Rear view of an 3-way switch (Intermediate) Module

Ways refer to how many different locations can control the same light or fixture. A &#;way" describes the complexity of the circuit and the number of switches that can turn a single light on or off.

For example

• A 1-way switch controls a light from one location.
• A 2-way switch (common in stairways or hallways) allows the same light to be controlled from two different locations.
• A 3-way switch allows control of a light from three locations, and so on. This is commonly known as an Intermediate Switch.

In a large hallway, you might have a 2-way switch system with switches at both ends of the hall, so you can turn the light on when you enter and off when you exit. A more complex setup, like a 3-way switch, would allow you to control the same light from an additional location.

Key Differences:

&#;Gangs&#; refer to how many switches are grouped together in a single switch plate, each controlling a different light or device.
&#;Ways&#; refer to how many switches control a single light, allowing multiple points of control in a circuit.

Whether you're wiring a single light fixture or designing a more complex lighting system, we hope that this clears up the difference between gangs and ways, and helps you to choose the right switch setup for your home.

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