How to install a dimmer switch

[@fesy734]

Hello! Great video, also your attention to safety is very good. not everyone is this concerned about safety which is a darn shame.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Faisal Y Thanks Faisal ;-)

[@ultimatehandyman]

@andy johnson Label each wire up with some masking tape before removing them. You can write on the tape with a pen where each wire goes ;-)

[@MrPyroguru]

+Ultimate Handyman How do you wire a Lutron Dimmer to a double switch setup? The wiring from the dimmer switch is Black, Green, Red and Yellow. The wiring from the wall is Two Black, One Green and Two White. How do you wire this up?

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Michael Williams You are better off asking here, preferably with pictures- www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/lighting-f33.html

[@strangersgarden]

I'm extremely confused, my outlet has two switches I can press but there is outlets that are sold that have two dimmers on a single outlet. So am I able to change my outlet to a double dimmer outlet, each switch controls a single light on the double outlet

[@ultimatehandyman]

If the existing switch has 2 switches, and each switch controls two different lights, then you could replace it with a double dimmer switch, providing the lamps in the light fittings are dimmer compatible (not all lamps can be dimmed).

[@jilltyrrell7525]

@@ultimatehandyman Thank you so much! How can I check if mine are dimmer compatible?

[@ultimatehandyman]

@@jilltyrrell7525 Normally if the lamps are tungsten filament lamps, they can be dimmed. Most compact fluorescent lamps cannot be dimmed. Some LED lamps can be dimmed, but some can't Halogen lamps can normally be dimmed. (confusing or what) Sometimes, it's easier to just go out and buy a lamp that you know is dimmable!

[@glynnhancock9546]

What make is you tester? It looks really simple to use. - thank you.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I don't think they sell my model anymore, but this is their latest one- uk.rs-online.com/web/p/voltage-indicators/9140034

[@glynnhancock9546]

Thanks for your reply.

[@paulperrin2152]

Are standard light bulbs used or do you use light bulbs specifically for dimmer switches??

[@ultimatehandyman]

The light bulbs need to be dimmable. It used to be easy 30 years ago, as most light bulbs were tungsten filament (which were fine with dimmers), but now they make compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, some of which are not dimmer compatible 👍

[@Hixx_wz]

What colour is the dimmer for you and which did you put it in?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not sure what you mean? If you mean what colour are the wires, it does not matter which wire goes in which terminal 👍 Just make sure that the green and yellow wire goes into the earthing terminal.

[@leon9917]

Very professional video. That light dimmer is it also working with light bulb cold light or with cold light neon?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I don't thin you can use dimmer switches with neon lights Thanks for the comment 👍

[@How2dostuff-]

My back box is too shallow would you or could you suggest a spacer

[@ultimatehandyman]

A spacer should work, they sell them on ebay- although I have never used one- bit.ly/33KguaB

[@internetcowboy9365]

Is a neutral not required for dimmers?

[@ultimatehandyman]

No, you just need the live and switched live. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@miketravis6149]

Do we in the U K do the push button light switches like they do on the continent? You know, the ones that you push and have 30 seconds to get up the stairs after a skin full before the light goes out. My kid are forever leaving lights on.

[@ultimatehandyman]

mike travis Not sure, sorry. I have never seen one of those before, perhaps someone else will know ;-)

[@Petertronic]

mike travis Yes you can, Look up "time delay switches"

[@davidworsley7969]

+mike travis They used to be very common in local authority blocks of flats but I haven't seen one in years-if you think you have problems now-just wait till they start using hair dryers,clothes dryers washing machines,TVs etc-enjoy it while it lasts!

[@miketravis6149]

ForestCat Thanks for that. Will do.

[@miketravis6149]

David Worsley Thanks for that, and yes I do know what you mean. lol

[@icandodgebullets7869]

I bought a 1 gang 1 way dimmer switch to install as I would like to dim the chandelier which is the only light in the room. When I take the old switch out, I see a blue, red, yellow wire, there's also a green earthing wire which isn't connected to the switch. On the dimmer switch there are 3 slots, L1, L2 & a crossed out arrow. Which colour wires do I need to connect to the dimmer switch? Help would be greatly appreciated.

[@grzegorzzmitrowicz8472]

Should I call fireman first to let him know that I'm going to do job like that 🤣🤣🤣

[@ultimatehandyman]

😂

[@ashleysarginson1264]

On the switch I want to replace with a dimmer there are three brown wires one in L1 and two put into L2 AND L3 IS empty. 1 - What wires go where in regards to putting a dimmer in and 2 - should I be concerned that there are two wires into one terminal?

[@ultimatehandyman]

1. Just mark the wires with masking tape so you don't get them mixed up and then swap them over to the dimmer. 2. I would not be too concerned about it, as long as it's working. Is this switch the only switch to switch the light on or off or is there another one ?

[@ashleysarginson1264]

Ultimate Handyman no just the one switch, I was just thrown back by the terminals being L1 2 AND 3 and there not being a Com

[@barrydduggan]

Which wire was the live wire in your video?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not sure, one is the live, the other is the switched live. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@TheAudiostud]

Hello Chap. Is it at all possible that you could produce a demo video that explains how to wire a 3 way switch, I'm re-wiring my bedroom and would really appreciate it if you could explain how it's done, thank you very much for all the time you've taken to produce a excellent series's of videos

[@ultimatehandyman]

+TheAudiostud I'll add it to my list. I did write this article on how to do it, which might help-www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/how-to/light-fitting/three-way-light-switching

[@thomastuchel1726]

What lightbulb would u recommend with a 60-250w and 200-250v dimmer switch?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm no expert on light bulbs, just search Google or ebay for a Lamp, which is dimmer compatible and ensure you get the correct fitting, such as bayonett or ES 👍

[@BangerlUAl]

hi so im changing my switch soon the back box is metal and the earth wire is connected to the back box now if i change the faceplate with a new one which has a earth terminal do i transfer the earth wire from the back box to the single switch plate or do i leave it connected to the back box

[@ultimatehandyman]

Leave the earth wire connected to the back box, but then get a small piece of earthing wire and put that in the back box terminal with the existing earth wire, then connect the other end to the earth terminal on the switch.

[@BangerlUAl]

thx very much great help ur videos have really helped past couple of days lol would this be the same for sockets aswell as ive got usb sockets to put in aswell thx in advance

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Yes it's the same for sockets too.

[@damienmcloughlin9654]

Hiya. Mine has two wires goin into the common slot. When I wire it up and switch is On it makes a humming noise is that normal

[@ultimatehandyman]

Some dimmers can make a humming noise, just make sure the lamp is dimmable 👍

[@alexandercurry2281]

I'm in the UK and bought a wall mounted dimmer where the instruction leaflet states hook the live feed to L1 and the switched live to common, this seems to be the opposite of normal practice, any thoughts on this?

[@ultimatehandyman]

It should not matter which way, but always best to follow the instructions.

[@samsonsunday438]

Can dimmer switch been used in all kinds of light or only specific light

[@ultimatehandyman]

Dimmer switches can only be used with dimmer compatible lamps, some lamps such as fluorescent lamps cannot be used with dimmer switches.

[@nathandavis3655]

I tried to replace a faulty dimmer yesterday with one that I knew was working. I replaced like for like (2 brown in l1 and one grey in common) the lights can be turned on and off from one other switch as well. Do I need to use l2? This was working fine with this set up until recently :(

[@ultimatehandyman]

It's not normal to have two wires in L1 for a two way lighting circuit. Are you sure one of the wires was not in L2? This video might help- kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6i6eqmZi5eMiqs I would suggest removing the other switch from the wall, then see where the wires go in the first switch, but it looks like one of the brown wires needs to be in L2

[@cafevibeout]

Hello, does your light go completely off when you totally lower your switch? I bought one and it won’t dim my light completely. What can be the cause of that?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, it should go completely off. Some dimmers switches also need pressing to switch them on or off. If the light will not switch off, it might be a lamp which is not dimmer compatible!

[@cafevibeout]

Okay thank you

[@neilobusk]

Yo chez..the ones that have an infra remote are best..impresses the ladies and more so when you say you had to make the back box fit :) informative as usual :) Neil

[@ultimatehandyman]

neilobusk Thanks Neil, My days of impressing ladies are over (unless the girlfriend can't see me) ;-)

[@joemills4286]

If once I’ve replaced a normal switch with a dimmer the light simply switches on and off (when pushing the dimmer knob in), but doesn’t dim when I turn the knob, does that simply mean the lightbulb isn’t dimmable?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, that is often the case. Fitting a dimmable lamp, should sort the issue 👍

[@dido241]

Hi, I had a double dimmer switch unit (for separate wall lights and ceiling light) which was twist on, twist off. I bought a Wickes 2 gang 2 way dimmer switch to replace it and wired it exactly the same as the old one but only one light works. The blue was connected to L2 and the red to the Common, with a separate red across from the Common that switch to the Common on the other switch but only the switch with blue and red wires connected is functioning. Has the way these switches are wired changed or have I bought the wrong unit? Any help would be appreciated.

[@ultimatehandyman]

It could be many things, firstly have you checked that the lamp is working? You could then eliminate the dimmer switch, by swapping the wiring from the first switch to the second switch. You could always ask here (free to join)- www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=543f68e4113ddb392003d934a8f88d8c You might need to take some pictures to help though ;-)

[@dido241]

@@ultimatehandyman Thanks. Will do

[@allthingsTechrelated]

My old light switch only have 2 red wires in it. The earth wire is attached to the metal back box and the 2 black wires are connected using a plastic connector. I bought a dimmer switch but and connected the two red wires from the old switch to its common and L2 terminals as per the instructions but the light can only switch on and of but not dimmed. I using an LED bulb and I’m not sure if it’s the wiring or the bulb or both why it’s not dimming. Can you help please?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not all lamps can be dimmed, especially LED's Are you sure that the LED is dimmable?

[@allthingsTechrelated]

Ultimate Handyman thanks. It’s a cheap Tesco led. I’ll get a dimmable one to test.

[@samuelkayo2479]

Thanks for the tutorial. I have a small issue, when I dim the light low it keeps flickering. Do you know how I can fix this?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Is the lamp being used definitely dimmable? Is the dimmer overloaded?

[@2009clueless]

hi there im changing my switch but someone told me i cant i need another wire? i have a black and red wire i dont have a 3rd like yourself does that mean i cant have a dimmer ? i got on in common and one in L1 . L2 has no wire

[@ultimatehandyman]

You can use a dimmer as long as you have a wire in com and a wire in L1 BUT if the dimmer is metal it needs earthing. If there is no earth wire you must never use a metal switch or dimmer.

[@johnhutch5678]

Hi, I’ve installed a new LED dimmer switch and was experiencing issues with the lights dimming on their own or when fully lit the lights just go off, I’ve checked the wiring and it’s as you explained brown to common grey to L2 and black to L1, all wiring is tight but I’m still having the issue, dimmer switch is from Screwfix, roughly £9, can you help? Thanks .... ps, when the lights are on full they last for almost two minutes then just switch off, don’t understand why the outage is happening

[@johnhutch5678]

Sorted it now.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Glad you sorted it, sorry for the slow reply (I'm very busy and it can take me a while to get to comments)

[@ciocoimarian7247]

What was the issue?

[@skedtm]

HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE BACKBOX? Where do you get the backbox from? I just waisted £18 on a dimmer that doesn't fit even though i measured it. (Because there's not enough space for the wires)

[@ultimatehandyman]

It depends what kind of wall it is. Dry lined- kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGbXlYCLepdrkNE Solid- kzbin.info/www/bejne/paTSaIGNhbR5r6c&t Thanks for the comment 👍

[@robzaphy]

Hi, I came to switch on my dimmer switch to press it in today and it didn’t turn on and the button feels like nothing is behind it? Do you think it’s the switch needs replacing?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, it is probably faulty, if it feels like there is nothing behind it. Thanks for the comment

[@ImranAli-cq4oz]

I don't have a black one, Where does the yellow one go?

[@TheHBSOURCE]

Padlock on the breaker bit extreme unless you suspect the Mrs...

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Brett Holden If I don't padlock the breaker I get people telling me to lock the breaker LOLI just can't win ;-)Thanks for the comment

[@limitless1692]

hahhaha She is going to kill you

[@morganosborne9788]

i tried changing a standard light switch to a dimmer switch today. There were 3 wires in the com terminal and 1 in L1, all the wires were the same colour, is this wired correctly? i made a note of this layout and copied it exactly to the dimmer switch. when on brightest setting it worked fine but as i turned it anti clockwise instead of dimming it started flashing. What did i do wrong? or was it wired incorrectly beforehand or just an incompatible switch

[@ultimatehandyman]

It's hard to say if it is wired correctly but if it was working before the best option is to put the switch back on. The lamp in the light fitting is compatible with a dimmer switch isn't it? (some are not dimmer compatible)

[@morganosborne9788]

how do i found that out, will it say on the bulb?

[@ultimatehandyman]

It normally says on the packaging that the bulb is shipped in.Do you know what type of lamp it is? Such as compact fluorescent, LED etc. Probably the best option is to get a lamp that you know is dimmable and try that?

[@CRH1A-1145]

Hiya I wonder if this is Varilight please?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure which make it is, sorry. Thanks for the comment

[@CRH1A-1145]

@@ultimatehandyman No worries! You are very welcome. Is it videoed in someone else's home?

[@benconway9010]

Ok this is how to fit a dimmer to a light but im trying to fit a dimmer to a little water feature pump just to control the flow of water just done it and ended up blowing 2 of them wat wires fo where as there's only 2 wires a red or brown and a blue ????

[@ultimatehandyman]

You can only use a dimmer switch for a light, it cannot be used to control the speed of a motor/pump!

[@benconway9010]

@@ultimatehandyman why cant you?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I can't remember exactly (I just know it won't work), if you ask someone with a lot of electrical knowledge they will give you the exact reason. You could try Big Clive- kzbin.info

[@Thanhtranpr68]

Where i can buy it

[@solie9598]

I got one issue though! When I opened my dimmer switch from the wall -to connect it, I found different color of wires from your white and black, does it matter which one goes where? I found 2 red and 1 blue wires, my dimmer switch also has 2 screws, one labelled A, another labelled L Please advise.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not sure, it's probably best if you ask in an electrical forum (you can add pictures) www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/viewforum.php?f=33

[@solie9598]

@@ultimatehandyman okay, thanks!

[@bobbymac1319]

Hi, I have a problem, I have taken the previous dimmer switch off, and there are 2 red wires and one earth???

[@ultimatehandyman]

Earth to earth terminal. One red wire in the L1 terminal, the other red wire in the terminal with the funny line that looks like this ~ Thanks for the comment 👍

[@bobbymac1319]

@@ultimatehandyman wow I can't believe you got back to me so fast, and solved my problem 😁😁😁 it worked, you are an😇

[@MsMr2turbo]

how come you have four wires in Ireland we have 3 wires blue for neutral brown for live and earth.

[@ultimatehandyman]

This is a dimmer switch, so it will not have a neutral only a live wire and one switched live but may have one or more other wires depending on if it's two way or three way. Thanks for the comment

[@stephboeker7835]

Great video UH, content and production ! :) I was hoping you could help me w/ an idea I have ? I'd like to add a variable speed switch to my bench grinder in order to run it at slower speeds. I've noticed many amp ratings for these switches and most will work fine on a 5 amp motor. Question: 1.) Will I risk damaging the electric motor on my bench grinder? 2.) If okay to add switch, should I try to match the amp level or would a higher amp rating switch be just fine? 3.) If I get a variable speed bench grinder that supplies 2000rpm's to 3400rpm's , could I theoretically add another variable speed switch in order to run it even slower than the minimum 2000rpm's ? Thank you for your generous consideration, Steph

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks Steph, I'm afraid I do not know the answer to your question, you are better off asking an electrician that specialises in single phase motors. We do have variable speed three phase motors at work but they are all controlled by inverters.

[@JustJazzzy]

Iv installed a dimmer switch but i could here buzzing from the switch itself and not the lightbulbs, is that serious?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Some dimmers do make a buzzing sound, but ensure you have dimmer compatible lamps in the light fittings 👍

[@paulburden3172]

How come I've got 3 red wires ,2 going into common , 1 into L1 , and an earth not connected to anything .Am trying to fit a metal dimmer.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not sure, but if you just keep the two wires together in 1 terminal and the other red wire in the other terminal and connect the earth wire to the dimmer it should be fine ;-) Thanks for the comment 👍

[@christophercroft9824]

Helped me do what I needed to do 👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm glad the video helped Thanks for the comment 👍

[@AleksandarKospenda]

Kinda hard to believe that little brick handles 250W of dimming.

[@okaythen001]

will any dimmable bulb work ? switch got a compatible list, must I buy bulbs from that list or any dimmable bulbs should work?

[@SandyCOfficial]

thanks as I had a loose wire and got it sorted

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@p.sparthiban5921]

Brother one doubt how to connect 2 way switch type in dimmer switch. 2 dimmer switch and 1 load. How to connect explain brother

[@ultimatehandyman]

This might help- kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6i6eqmZi5eMiqs

[@eltontsang9079]

Hi my bathroom got extractor is buy 1 grang 2 way pls ?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Unless your bathroom light can be switched on and off from two different switches- you only need a 1 gang 1 way (1 gang 2 way, if there are two separate switches). It’s unusual to have a dimmer switch on a bathroom light though 👍

[@eltontsang9079]

@@ultimatehandyman hi my bathroom got 1 switch,if switch on ,the fan on same time because fan switch on top of the wall , so I not sure need buy 1 grang 1 way or 2 way pls ? Thanks

[@ultimatehandyman]

1 gang 1 way will be fine, but a lot of places only stock 1 gang 2 way switches now, because of the cost of stocking both switches. You can use a 1 gang 2 way switch though, just put one wire in Com and the other wire in L1 👍

[@eltontsang9079]

@@ultimatehandyman ok many thanks information 🙏🏻

[@ritchierich9407]

Hi, hope you or someone can help me with this. . I have the old type twin dimmer for the old type bulbs, I have just replaced my bulbs with LED bulbs and i get a BUZZING sound. I just found out that i need a dimmer Compatible Compatible with LED bulbs. My question is this. will the wiring be the same from the old dimmer to the new dimmer, ( will it mirror each other ) , also what is the name of the dimmer switch that i need to buy for LED bulbs. .. Thanks

[@harrycooke6349]

What if there is only 2 cables black and red

[@ultimatehandyman]

If both wires are connected to the existing switch, it means that someone has not identified one of the conductors. You can wrap some red insulation tape around the black wire, then just swap the switch for the dimmer.

[@Salad_Dodger77]

Cheers dude, very helpful. Thanks.

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Campervan Andy You are welcomeThanks for the comment ;-)

[@moparman2303]

hi, great video. my old light switch that looks like the one in the video and has a blue & black in one terminal; two reds in another and yellow/green in the top part of the terminal i also have the same dimmer switch as in the video, that has L1, L2, and squiggly line one. do i put the black and blue cable in L1 or just black or just blue? the two reds, do i put just one red in L2? and the yellow/green one in the squiggly terminal?

[@tigertruckerman]

it wasn't clear what that earth cable was for /what happened to it in box

[@ultimatehandyman]

The earth wire should be sleeved with green and yellow sleeving and terminated to the earthing terminal if there is one. If there is no earthing terminal just sleeve the bare earthing conductor and then put a single insulated terminal connector on the end of it, this will prevent the earth wire from ever coming into contact with one of the live conductors.

[@seephor]

Are all light switches this ugly in the EU? The breakers are better designed than the light switches in this video.

[@ultimatehandyman]

seephor It depends where in the EU you are. These are standard light switches in the United Kingdom. If you go to other countries they are different. We do have metal faced switches in Brass or Chrome etc. but normally in new builds they install plastic ones as they are cheap.

[@FoodOnCrack]

seephor you can also get electronic pusbutton dimmers.

[@riahom1]

Best for UK electrics

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@Vinnay94]

What if you keep turning the dimmer left and right? I can imagine a kid doing that?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm sure they would soon get bored of doing that! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@rajeshsammie]

does this work for all lights, as in i have LED energy efficient lights from a suspended ceiling, will it for them? many thanks

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Brian matty You need to check the documentation that came with the lamps as some LED's can be dimmed and others cannot.It depends on which ones you have!

[@theartist199]

my switch only has 2 wires. I presume that doesnt matter?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Do you mean there is no earth wire? If there is no earth wire you should only fit a plastic switch and never a metal switch as it could be dangerous under fault conditions.

[@titanking3148]

Fantastic vid, really helpful! Thank you 😊

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment

[@davidworsley7969]

One thing I found out by accident-you can only use one dimmer switch per circuit-they still work but don.t dim.

[@carljhirst]

Well 2 lights on a double switch. The blues are put together in plastic separate connector. The 3 browns go in to b1 and b2 and one brown links across to the other squiggle n arrow connection. It looks nothing like this. Oh well here goes......

[@ultimatehandyman]

That means that you have the loop in at the light switch, this should explain it all- kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqC5hJenmquenqc Thanks for the comment 👍

[@jobaecker9752]

Next time you're in America, stop by the house and bring your camera...I've got plenty of projects and a complete Adobe Premiere suite ready for editing... ;)

[@ultimatehandyman]

Jo Baecker Thanks Jo ;-)

[@bernieowens113]

I have two red wires going into L1 and one red wire going in to L3, how do I wire this up for a dimmer switch.

[@ultimatehandyman]

What are the markings on the dimmer switch?

[@andyjohnson1291]

How would I install one with all the wires being red?

[@stu3735]

Try watching the video and listening Andy

[@jeathtunes769]

I keep seeing these super cautious videos using the safety testers to make sure that there is no power. Was there ever an accident after the power was COMPLETELY shot down ? I Dont know a single person who used any safety testers when doing electricity works.

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Jeath Tunes I think an electrician was killed a few years back when working on site, hence the HSE produced "safe isolation procedures" guidance.

[@jeathtunes769]

+Ultimate Handyman there cant be any power in the house/flat when the mains are down you test it by pressing the switches

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Jeath Tunes You might go to work on a lighting circuit and the lamp might have blown. You could switch off the breaker and someone else could switch it back on etc. I just try and make it as safe as possible for people ;-)

[@jeathtunes769]

+Ultimate Handyman understood. thanks for the vid

[@ultimatehandyman]

+Jeath Tunes You are welcome. Thanks for the comment

[@Bipolarvideos]

Overkill on the safety steps

[@ultimatehandyman]

😜

[@onamission8397]

Iv only a blue a brown and an earth

[@ultimatehandyman]

That's easy then, Brown in one terminal, Blue in the other terminal (should be sleeved brown really), then earth to the earth terminal. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@curiosity2314]

What happened to European style? Nasty switch design, I did like the circuit panel but I don't think there is a need to lock the panel. Rather leave the note as you had done. Unless you were in an extreme environment.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Curiosity We don't have the same switches/sockets as the rest of Europe here in the UK. I only lock the breaker as it is recommended as best practice as set out by the HSE (which does not really apply to people doing DIY in their own homes), but if I don't do it some electricians will have an hissy fit ;-) Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@curiosity2314]

***** Yeah I understand... One thing I will agree to Safety is of the utmost importance. I was wrong... With that said, you guys need a style change! Your switches here look like something from the 1970's Radio Shack catalog! :)

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Curiosity Looks like, yes, but the actual mechanical action of UK switches is very positive. I prefer the grid mounting ones, which are a bit more like North American ones, with a separate face plate and switch/indicator/etc. modules. But they're more expensive (a few pounds instead of '49p in bulk') so, builders use the cheap ones.

[@thatscubaguy]

Cables are not labeled on mine how do you differentiate between common and L1?

[@ultimatehandyman]

It should not really matter, but the existing switch should be labelled up, so you could read that and then mark up one of the wires. Thanks for the comment 👍