Light switches, dimmer switches, repair, replacement and installation

Single-Pole switch

This is the most common light switch in the UK  which controls one output within the home; it is the simplest to install, replace or repair.

3-way and 4-way switches

Also very common are 3-way and 4-way switches: these have slightly more complicated installations compared to Single-Pole switches and are often used in bigger rooms or hallways. (image)
The difference between them is that whilst a 3-way switch only controls one output from two locations, a 4-way switch controls one output from three locations, which means that it is connected to a larger number of switches.

Dimmer switch

The final switch is the dimmer switch, which is used to adjust light levels in a room. Dimmer switches have grown in popularity overtime as they help create a calm atmosphere or bright ambience.
Very similar to a Single-Pole switch the dimmer switch can also be bought as a Single-Pole; One of the biggest benefits of dimmer switches is that they are environmentally-friendly due to the fact that they save energy through controlling the amount of light in a room.

Flickering of Lights

One of the most common light switch problems in the UK is lights constantly flickering in a household. This is often due to either a poor connection to the switch terminals or simply loose wiring. However, it could also be down to exposed wires touching the switch, so make sure to have a spacious area where you can put bare wires.

Loose or damaged wiring

Loose wiring is caused by the wires overheating due to lack of insulation, which is often a sign that rewiring is necessary, which you can find out more about in our "Rewiring a house" Service

Circuit Breaker Triping

One significant problem in the UK is the circuit breaker tripping or the fuse box burning out. The most common reason for this is an overloaded circuit, which means that too many appliances are connected; this is extremely dangerous, as it can often lead to fires, so be aware of the number of appliances you have plugged into a socket. It is important to note that if you install new lights with an old fuse box, the likelihood is the fuse box will blow, due to the amplifier pulling too much power.

Dimmer switch buzzing

An extremely common dimmer switch problem is the dimmer switch constantly buzzing. There are a number of causes for this: for example, the problem may be with the light bulb. If the sound is coming directly from the bulb, then the best option would be to change the bulbs that are buzzing. However, if the sound is coming from the dimmer switch, it may be due to you overloading the switch's capacity, so be aware of how often you are using your dimmer switches.

Dimmer switch not dimming

You may also be wondering why your dimmer switch is not dimming all the way or not dimming at all; the main reason for this is because you are probably overloading your dimmer switch, which means it is unable to dim properly because of the amount of energy in the circuit.

Dimmer switch not working after replacing bulb

It may be the case that your dimmer switch is not working even though you have replaced your bulbs, which could be due to loose wiring, which should be repaired by a qualified electrician. As mentioned before, if the lights are constantly flickering in your household, it is most likely due to loose wiring or a poor connection.

Although it is possible to do the job yourself, we highly recommend that you get a qualified electrician to replace your light or dimmer switches.

The law on who can carry out electrical repairs in the home is very strict; these laws are known as "Building Regulations" and involve the landlord or householder making sure all electrical work is completed safely and does not cause any risks to those living in a property.

Under "Part P" of Building Regulations, it is stated that you are allowed to repair a light or dimmer switch, however you need a certain level of competence to do so: if done incorrectly, there are risks of fire hazards or electrocution, which could put you and your entire property in danger.