Converting 2 way switch to 1 way light switch, but removing the master switch.

[Dave Babb]

Hi,
I am looking to convert a 2 way light into just control by single switch.
I have searched and looked for similar questions here, and found a perfect similar thread, even down to the reason for wanting to remove the switch due to using smart switches and automations.
The thread is here..

Converting 2-way to 1-way light switch

I recently added some smart light switches to my house that were very easy to install and working well. Easy enough as they were all just replacing one way, one gang so wiring was just com and switch live and adding a light module at the ceiling rose. I am wanting to add more smart light...

www.electriciansforums.net

The provided answer is almost perfect. The reason it's not perfect is the switch I want to remove is the master. I can't add a reply to it presumably becuase its a few years old.

Using the image provided in the previous thread my thought is that the solution is as follows.

Using the second half of the image as the basis, my plan would be to obviously remove ALL wires from switch 1.
Then connect red to red to get the live to the com of switch 2.
Then remove L2 from switch 2 and terminate it suitably, and finally join black and yellow together thereby passing the switched live from switch 2 back to the switched live that run to the light.
Switch 1 will be completely removed and blanked off, terminating any remaining unused wires.
Obviously I understand I'll need to figure out what colours have been used in my installation, and I should take decent photos before messing about with it and isolate etc....


On the subject of blanking off, does anyone have experience of finding thin (1-3mm) flat blanking plates ? Anything I can find looks to be as think as light switch or with rounded edges. I have a requirement to stick a remote switch over the front of a 2 gang box, and I'm not really keen on te whole thing sticking out about 80mm...


Thanks in advance.

 

[westward10]

Theoretically your plan should work if your switching is as per the diagrams. As for blanking plates they do tend to resemble a switch without the switch assembly.

 

[Avo Mk8]

On the subject of blanking off, does anyone have experience of finding thin (1-3mm) flat blanking plates ? Anything I can find looks to be as think as light switch or with rounded edges. I have a requirement to stick a remote switch over the front of a 2 gang box, and I'm not really keen on te whole thing sticking out about 80mm...

Would this work:

2Gang to 1Gang Reducer Adapter Plate, 2mm Steel, White Powdercoat | eBay

Here for sale are custom made 2 gang to 1 gang reduction plates, these are made of 2mm high quality steel, finished in powdercoat "appliance white" to blend in with most socket or switch faceplates. There are threaded 3.5mm lugs to take the 1 Gang screws, whilst the holes for the 2 Gang Screw...

www.ebay.co.uk

There is (or was) a similar product out there somewhere from a non-ebay source, but I can't immediately find it. The above is illustrative!

 

[Dave Babb]

Thanks for the feedback westward10
The more I look at it the more certain I am it would work, its just a case of 'extending' the wiring from the master to the slave using wires already in the wall.

 

[Dave Babb]

Would this work:

2Gang to 1Gang Reducer Adapter Plate, 2mm Steel, White Powdercoat | eBay

Here for sale are custom made 2 gang to 1 gang reduction plates, these are made of 2mm high quality steel, finished in powdercoat "appliance white" to blend in with most socket or switch faceplates. There are threaded 3.5mm lugs to take the 1 Gang screws, whilst the holes for the 2 Gang Screw...

www.ebay.co.uk

There is (or was) a similar product out there somewhere from a non-ebay source, but I can't immediately find it. The above is illustrative!

Actually it would, pretty much all smart switches are 1 gang size. Cheers.