Light switches - what do 'gang' and 'way' mean?

Question

Have been looking at light switches, and they've all got '4 gang 2-way' or '2 gang 1-way' written on them and I can't find what that means. I've figured that 'gang' seems to equal 'buttons' (separate switches) but is that right? And what the hell does 'way' mean? Don't want to blow the electrics by fitting a wrong switch!

Answer 1

"Gang" means there are more than one switch on a single fitting.

"Way" means that the switches will operate from two or more locations. i.e like your light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Answer 2

You won't blow the electrics if you're careful - they should be turned off at the mains before you do anything anyway!.
If you're just fitting an ordinary light switch - I'll assume you're replacing a faulty one - then it doesn't matter whether it's a one- or two-way switch - you're only going to use it on one wire anyway.
A two-way switch is used as has been described as a means of switching (normally) a single light fitting from either the top or bottom of a staircase or from each end of a long passageway.
The term "gang" simply means a row of switches on the same base-plate.
Note that if you're in the UK and this is a new installation you must have it passed (or better still fitted) by a qualified electrician..... or at least, that's what the regulations say..... if you get my drift!

Answer 3

I have read through the answers and some people are way out in left field. They are correct about the gang thing if a box has 2 switches it would be called a 2 gang and so on.

There are a number of differnt switches on the market
Single Pole-For controlling a light from a single location
Double Pole-For controlling a load with two hots(i.e. a 240V motor)
3-Way-This controls a light from two locations(i.e. top and bottom of stairs)
4-Way-This goes inbetween two 3-way and will let you control the light from 3 differnt areas. You can add as many 4way between the 3 way and have as many switches as your heart desires. So if you wanted a light controilled from 15 differnt areas you could.

Hope this helps
Darren

To the asker of this question, are you located in the UK, if so my answers probably won't help you.

If you are in north america this is what is avaible to you.

Answer 4

Jayktee and Colin m are the best answers here, ignore the rest. Others have from no to very limited knowledge.

1G only 1 switch
2G ...... 2 switches
and so forth.

1 way
two terminals, to operate a light or multiple lights from 1 location.

2 way
three terminals, to operate a light or multiple lights from 2 locations. This may also be used as a 1 way switch.

Intermediate switch
Four terminals, used in conjunction with 2 in number 2 way switches, to operate a light or multiple lights in 3 or more locations.

To do this yourself is NOT a problem. NO part p is required as it is only minor works, changing like for like. If you install metal switches, please make sure that you use the earth cable, as this the safety measures for yourself, in the event of a fault occurring.

Before you start, make sure all your lights work. Turn of your fuse or take it out if it doesn't have a switch or button (the white ones normally). if your light doesn't work now, it is safe for you to do so. You should now really check it with an approved tester, if possible. THIS IS TO PROVE THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY IN THE CIRCUIT.

Answer 5

Gang is the number of switches on a plate. 'Way' is the type of switch, One way is for working from one location and has two terminals. Two way is for working from two locations and has three terminals. There is no such thing as a three way, you have to use an INTERMEDIATE switch, which is wired between two two-way switches. You cannot normally buy a two or 3 gang switch with one way switches, they will be fitted with two way switches, but you only need to use two of the three terminals, usually marked C, and L1 or L2

Ignore the reference above to 2 and 3 poles, that is another thing entirely, and is a e.g. single gang switch that operates on 2 or 3 sets of 1 or 2 way terminals at the same time, an isolator for a bathroom fan with a timer is an example of a 1 gang 3 pole switch.

Part P does not apply to replacing switches, if you are competent you are allowed to do this. Transfer the wires one at a time from old to new switches to the same terminals.

Answer 6

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Does the upper landing switch also have a switch upstairs? Also, does the lower one have one? If so then the switches are 3 way switches, meaning they complete the circuit to turn on the light from either location. If you're replacing them then place the wires from the old switch to the new one in the same manner. Make sure to source out the breaker to remove power pefore doing so.I've linked a sample wiring diagram below. if it's a single switch operating a single light then it's straight forward one Line-side wire to the one terminal and the Load(light fixture) wire to the other.

Answer 7

2 Gang 2 Way Switch

Answer 8

2 Gang Switch

Answer 9

Some of these people should be smacked for their totally uninformed answers. Carol especially. Single pole 2 gang means it disconnects two circuits from one location.
4 gang 2 way I never heard of you must mean 3 way that is a switch that controls a light from two locations. Three locations uses two 3 way switches and a 4 way.

Answer 10

your right on the gang thing. there are usually only three types of domestic lighting switches in the uk ,a 1-way , a 2-way and an intermediate switch . a 1-way is needed when the light is switched from one location only e.g a room with only one door).a 2-way from 2 locations (e.g landing light switched fromdownstairs and upstairs) and an intermediate from 3 or more locations (usually only in stairwells).a 2-way switch can also be used as a 1-way switch.

Answer 11

A one gang one way switch is, one switch on one plate switching only from one position, one gang two way gives you the option of switching from two positions. You can use a two way switch for one way operation, most muti-gang switches will be two way anyway.
Hope this helps.

GaryB, I found your remark offensive, by the way I've never turned off a fuse in my life & I've been in the game for 40yrs?