Single gang 1 way light switch
There are two terminals in a one way light switch. When the switch is on, both terminals are connected together.
Typically, these terminals will be marked COM and L1 (sometimes L1 and L2). Although, technically, it doesn’t matter which way round you connect the wires, it is best to stick to convention and connect the permanemt live (from the supply) to COM and the switched live (to the lamp) to L1.
This is the most common type of switch, and is used where a light is controlled from a single switch (although you will often see a two way switch used, with one terminal left unused).
single gang switch face
Single gang one way light switch
Switch mechanism
One way light switch mechanism
This is fairly obvious, but when the switch is ‘on’ the COM and L1 terminals are connected together. When ‘off’ they are not.
Tags: 1 gang, 1 way, electrical switches, light switch
2 gang 1 way light switch
You don’t see these as much now days as many manufactures only make 2 gang 2 way light switches that serve the same purpose (you just don’t use the third L2 terminal on each gang), however I thought we would include it just in case you come across one!
Basically, this is just two single way switches on one face plate
Double gang switch face plate
Fig 2: Double gang one way light switch
Switch mechanism
One way light switch mechanism
Each of the gangs (or switches) above in Fig 2 (of which there are two) work like this: when the switch is ‘on’ the COM and L1 terminals are connected together. When ‘off’ the COM is connected to nothing.
There are no connections between the two gangs in Fig 2. Each gang is a single discreet switch.
Tags: 1 way, 2 gang, light switch
3 gang 1 way light switch
This format of light switch has three discreet switches on a single face plate. Basically this is three Single gang 1 way switches on a single face plate.
The only place you would use such a beast is if you had three lights (or sets of lights) in a single room each controlled by one of the single switches. This arrangement is not common, you are most likely to find a 3 gang 2 way switch used (this will do the same job but you will have spare L2 terminals on each gang that you would not need to use).
Triple gang switch face
Fig 2: Triple gang one way light switch
Switch mechanism
One way light switch mechanism
Each of the gangs (or switches) above in Fig 2 (of which there are three) work like this: when the switch is ‘on’ the COM and L1 terminals are connected together. When ‘off’ the COM is connected to nothing.
There are no connections between the two gangs in Fig 2. Each gang is a single discreet switch.
Tags: 1 way, 3 gang, electrical switches, light switch