Advice on replacing old light switch (2 way)

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Simon89

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Hi everyone
I am updating the light switches and wall sockets in my house but I'm unsure how to go about replacing an existing light switch.

Existing wiring (I've added in L1 and L2 in green as the labelling is not visible from the angle I took the photo).
There are 2 switches, one to turn on/off hallway light upstairs (note: there is also one switch downstairs that also operates the same circuit), the other switch is to turn on/off the hallway light downstairs (note: there are two individual light switches downstairs that operate the same circuit).

current wiring.jpg


I've bought the following replacement switch from Screwfix. Is it possible to use this to replace the above switch or do I need a different one? Screwfix MK 10ax-2-gang-2-way-light-switch. Also, I have no idea how to wire the switch below if it can be used. Any advice welcome. Thank you. :)
1647353416728.jpg
 
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You have the wrong switch. Your existing switch has an intermediate switch on one gang,and the other gang is a two way switch.
Your new one has both gangs that are two way switches.
 
Your best bet is probably to use MK Grid for this switch.

You will need an intermediate switch module, a 2 way switch module, a white 2 gang plate, and a metal yoke.

It will go with the rest of the MK stuff, but you will see a subtle difference.
 
The op is replacing all the sockets and switches - as I understand it - so they need to match.
 
sparkwright said:
Your best bet is probably to use MK Grid for this switch.

You will need an intermediate switch module, a 2 way switch module, a white 2 gang plate, and a metal yoke.

It will go with the rest of the MK stuff, but you will see a subtle difference.
Click to expand...
Them Earth wires will also need addressing if using the metal grid
 
I used a Click Minigrid system for my en-suite. As you can see, the plate is a good match for the neighbouring MK Logic Plus 50A switch, but the modules are not like Logic Plus light switch rockers. In my case, it's not crucial, as the rocker on that MK switch is a different design to the lower-rated switches in the range.

IMG_20220315_235330_HDR.jpg
 
Simon89 said:
I am updating the light switches and wall sockets in my house
Click to expand...
It's your choice what you fit in your home, but I'm not sure I would describe replacing Scholmore click mode with MK logic plus as "updating".

There are 2 switches, one to turn on/off hallway light upstairs (note: there is also one switch downstairs that also operates the same circuit), the other switch is to turn on/off the hallway light downstairs (note: there are two individual light switches downstairs that operate the same circuit).
Click to expand...
When you have three switches controlling the same light, one of them needs to be an intermediate switch. Changing which one is the intermediate switch is likely to involve considerable rewiring.

Unfortunately to the best of my knowledge, multi-gang switches with intermediates are not sold by any major brand. So the only way to achieve a 2 gang switch with an intermediate switch and a regular switch is to use a modular range.

MK's modular range is known as "Grid plus", they offer it in most if not all of the same finishes as their regular ranges, but they do look slightly different from the regular switches. there is a "border" around each switch and the visible mounting screws are in a different place (on the 2 module plates they are top and bottom). Also they use a metal mounting grid which should be earthed.

To build a grid plus plate with a 2 way switch and an intermediate switch you will need the two switch modules, plus the plate and the grid.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-grid-...witch-white-with-colour-matched-inserts/184jr
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-grid-...olour-matched-inserts/92060?_requestid=556409
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-grid-plus-2-module-grid-faceplate-white/84716
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-grid-plus-2-module-grid-plate/81450

Speaking of earthing the grid, your existing wiring looks bodge-tastic. Simply twisting wires together is not an acceptable way to join earth wires, it also seems very strange to me that there is a single red wire that does not appear to be part of a cable.
 
securespark said:
I used a Click Minigrid system for my en-suite. As you can see, the plate is a good match for the neighbouring MK Logic Plus 50A switch, but the modules are not like Logic Plus light switch rockers. In my case, it's not crucial, as the rocker on that MK switch is a different design to the lower-rated switches in the range.

View attachment 264311
Click to expand...
bit late now but scolmore do a 45A single gang switch which would have matched the smaller switch

https://www.toolstation.com/click-mode-45a-dp-switch/p10475

and scolmore are one of the makers that supply neonless switches !!
 
@Simon89 have a look at the range you need to match and see if they do a 2-gang INTERMEDIATE switch. There is a way to use that combination for your wiring.
 
While I fully understand the differences between SPST, SPDT and Intermediate (Crossover) switches, it seems incredible that it appears to be so difficult to "match" UK switch wall-plates and switches with each other!
(The "matching" of such similar Wall-Plates in the USA is another story!)

I draw your attention to this

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_Dual_Socket_Outlet.jpg showing a simple two 10 A outlet wall-plate,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_Dual_Socket_Outlet_and_LAN_Wall_Plate.jpg showing such an Outlet pair together with a 6 LAN outlet wall-plate
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...cket_styles_for_different_current_ratings.jpg showing comparable Outlets from 10 A to 32 A

All of these pictured Wall-Plates (and many others) fit and are compatible with many other Australian Wall-Plates, from many different manufacturers.
Of course, while the switches may fit only the wall-plates of the same manufacturer, all of the wall-plates fit the same mounting hardware - as is required in the UK and the USA.

You should note that none of these wall-plates require any Earth connection to the metal body of their construction - because there is no such metal body.
The only Earth connection provided or needed is to any Earth connection required for any Socket-Outlet concerned.

(All metal fastening screws are both
sunk out of "touching range" and
covered with either individual insulation covers or an overall "wall plate" cover.)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_four_gang_wall_plate.jpg shows the appearance of a 4-Gang Switch Plate and https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Typical_Australian_Rocker_Switch.jpg shows the construction of an individual switch.
While the "Light Switch" wall plate is shown as mounting vertically, it can be mounted Horizontally, if required, and all the Switch-Mechanisms can be rotated 90 degrees accordingly.

My comments relate largely to
securespark said:
I used a Click Minigrid system for my en-suite. As you can see, the plate is a good match for the neighbouring MK Logic Plus 50A switch, but the modules are not like Logic Plus light switch rockers. In my case, it's not crucial, as the rocker on that MK switch is a different design to the lower-rated switches in the range.

View attachment 264311
Click to expand...
where the poster concerned does not seem to consider that that which is pictured is "messy".
 
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