1 or 2 gang switch

[bargepole]

when an electrical switch is described as 1 gang or 2 gang what is the gang actually refering to?

[mac309]

The gang refers to the actual switch fitted on the plate, therefore a 1 gang has 1 switch and a 2 gang has 2 switches. As in a gang of brickies, the number of people actually laying bricks.

[xyzzy@bok]

no, usually in a gang of brickies there are 3; one to mix and two to lay. :-)

[cucumbers]

Otherwise known as a two and one gang actually !

[bargepole]

so let's get this right, a 2 gang is 2 brickies and a mixer, or is that a 3 gang???? Oh bloody hell pass me the screwdriver while I wire this switch.

[ukkid76]

You are all hopeless this chap or chapess will be wiring his switches with cement at this rate, a one gang switch is for a single switched light a two gang is for a double switched light ie one switch at the bottom of the stairs and another at the top of the stairs operating the same light if you want more switches operating the same light you have to get another type of switch in between the two two gang switches although a two gang switch will work as a one gang, but not the other way around, and if you don't know the difference between different types of electrical products what are you playing with electrics for it can kill you know!!!! Or set fire to your property!!!!

[woodpam]

I think "gang" means "way" in German, but my o level was many years ago. Therefore a 2 gang switch is for a light that can be switched on or off from 2 sockets. You'll often find one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs to turn the landing light on or off.

[bargepole]

Thanks for all replies, newkid I'm still alive and can assure you I'm competent enough to do a bit of domestic wiring. So the final answer is gang refers to the number of switchs or sockets on the plate, as mac309 states ie a double socket is a 2 gang socket, a single socket is 1 gang, the same applies with switches. Woodpam, a switch that controls a light from 2 positions is a 2way switch. This has 3 connections points on the back for the wiring, a simple 1 way switch has 2 connection points.

[woodpam]

oops! I knew I shouldn'tbe venturing into this territory - when I replace switches, light fittings etc I have to draw a picture of the existing wiring and follow it religiously when installing the new bit. Should have known my limitations!