I think this is the proper name for what I want but I’m struggling to find it…
Essentially I want a front end normal UK light switch 1 gang fitting for a retractive 2 way switch aka it sits in the middle off position, if you push the top it activates switch 1 then returns to the middle off, if you push the bottom it activates switch 2 then returns to the middle off. It’s to be used with a Shelly Dimmer 2, so hence I want the up down bit as the dimming option.
Any ideas, can’t be that hard… I’ve come across quite a few with 2 independent switches with off and push then goes back to off but seems a tad clunky to have 2 switches for 1 light.
Trouble with the phrasing of “2 way” is can often be referred to in the sense of 2 switches 1 light like a light at the top of the landing with a switch and the bottom and top.
I have the Varilight retractive switch and Shelly Dimmer
The Switch has 3 connections, if you connect (as Shelly install manual Figures 1, 2 or 4) Shelly L to Switch Common and Shelly SW1 to L1 and Shelly SW2 to L2 it works as you want
Tip, visit the store, talk to them. Explain your are interested in ‘x’ but they are ‘order only’ (extra charges) get them to order to store and pick up on delivery (might save a fair chunk of cash, proportionately) as you need to just test 1 or 2 units (you can then buy a house (requirement) full at a later date, if they work out)
Edit: This obviously depends on how close your nearest toolstation is.
Hi Holdestmade, when you say “I have the Varilight retractive switch and Shelly Dimmer” do you mean the same one in the Amazon link or the screwfix link?
I prefer the Amazon one as the ‘grid’ ones seem a bit of a faff from what I’ve read about the varilight ones, they seem to be more intended for industrial use.
Thanks Mutt, not come across that brand but might give it a look, not sure why these kind of switches come up as the ‘grid’ kind, as I said from discussions around the varilight grid ones they don’t seem to fix that well in a normal UK wall socket, seem to be more made for the dedicated back box.
I currently use the varilight grid ones (also bought from TLC) in single and double domestic back boxes (metal and 47mm deep plastic drylining types) they were not a faff at all.
They do seem more commercial rather than industrial or domestic
Though : -
They (the ones I have) have clip on plastic top facia plates over the grid plate
These are very sensitive to the edges of the grid plate and our decorators were VERY generous with the paint they applied (ie they were crap decorators) So even though I’d removed the facia plates I spent 30 minutes (per plate) cleaning it up so the facia would go on
I’ve recently completed and installed exactly what you’re asking.
I went with 47mm deep backboxes and went with Click Grid Pro retractive switches. I bought Varilight and a lower version of Click Grid but they just didn’t look or feel solid.
Thanks for all the great suggestions
I’ve bought some of the cheaper Scolmore Click ones as a test, I needed some stuff from Toolstation anyway.
At the moment I only have one “Shelly Dimmer 2” but the Shelly products seem well thought out and seem to ‘work’ so far. Time will tell if I need to bash out and remove the back boxes or not, I’ve done it in a few places but it’s generally very hard work to remove the old ones, nailed into breeze block so it tends to be a lot of bashing and yanking of the metal pattress to eventually deform it enough to break the nail. On a couple of switches I’ve just used a spacer to pull it out enough.
A little tip, hit the nail a few times and it will loosen up. Then you can grab it with pliers and pull out.
The boxes aren’t easy to get out without damaging the wall around them though.
Removing metal pattress pays dividends, as does fitting the biggest plastic box you can get (47mm was the biggest I could find), even if it means the use of a drill and hammer ‘n’ chisel
The metal forms a faraday cage to block or at least impeade wireless communication (brick is bad enough, especially if damp or has a metalic contamination (say iron ore) in the clay used to make them.
And NOBODY will thank you trying to wire in a 5mm clearance space.
I’d also advise using Wago terminals
They are smaller than chocolate blocks and make testing / connections / testing a breeze
I’ve seen these 30Amp rated babies run to 93A (I’m not suggesting ANYONE use them above 30A) at which point they start to melt, so they are really good at what they do (also available in 2 and 3 way)
I’ve tried all sorts to get the poxy nails out, they must be the originals and it’s a 60’s house.
I think they used cut floor nails, you know the straight ones with squared off end and then they’ve rusted away. Once they’re out it’s fairly simple to just drill out a bigger hole. I’ve done this for quite a few single to double plug sockets but they weren’t smart.
Good shout about the metal/plastic back box and I have a whole heap of Wago things from previous projects mucking about with stuff
They sit in the up/off position and you can push the bottom in, then when you let go they revert to the up/off position so no good for up/down dimming
They say 2 way as they have an L1 L2 connection for the bottom of top of landing scenario.
I can’t see a different switch on toolstation that fits what I want or these switches on scolmores site only the gridpro stuff.
With a little more ‘research’ I can see on j31 of the Scolmore “MiniGrid” catalogue (Scolmore)
They sell 10A 3 Position Retractive Switch Modules, 3 position retractive switches are “push-to-make” and feature a central off position.
so it tends to be a lot of bashing and yanking of the metal pattress to eventually deform it enough to break the nail. On a couple of switches I’ve just used a spacer to pull it out enough.
