Electrician help 2 way switch or 2 gang switch whats the difference ?

Or are they the same ?

Purchased a 2 way switch from homebase and asked someone that worked there if they were the same thing, he answered yes, I’m not so sure though…

At the moment this is the set up

SWITCH WHICH IS (2WAY?)

DOWN STAIRS SWITCH = TURNS HALL LIGHT ON/OFF DOWN STAIRS & HALL LIGHT ON/OFF UPSTAIRS

UPSTAIRS SWITCH IS 1WAY = ONLY TURNS UPSTAIRS LIGHT ON/OFF

Have I purchased the right type of switch or do I need a 2 gang switch ?

Im only replacing the downstairs switch

Many thanks in advance :wink:

2 gang switch has 2 rockers on it thus switches 2 separate lights. 2 way switch is the configuration of the switch rocker, and means 2 switches can operate the same light.

2 gang means it has 2 switches; 2 way means it speaks (as it were)to the other switch (upstairs)so that when off downstairs you can still switch on upstairs.
A 2 gang, 2 way switch will have 6 terminals at the rear; two common, two L1 and two L2.

2 way means it switches between two different circuits;
circuit 1 on and circuit 2 off, or circuit 2 on and circuit 1 off.
You don’t have to use both circuits, you can use it as a simple on/off switch for one circuit.

thnaks for replies so do I have the correct switch ?

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10151&catalogId=1500001201&langId=110&searchTerms=81826&authToken=

2 gang, 2 way, you got the right one :)

cool

15% off today as well 8)