A 1 gang switch will control a single lighting circuit, and with a 2 gang switch you can control two lighting circuits, and so on.

What does 1 gang mean in electrical boxes?

“Gang” refers to the WIDTH of your electrical box and therefore the WIDTH of the cover plate. Count how many “slots” in the electrical box are available for mounting either a switch or an outlet: A single gang (or 1-gang) box is only wide enough for 1 switch or outlet.

What does 2 gang junction box mean?





A square electrical box, also known as a “double-gang box,” houses two devices. They’ll have a combination outlet/switch or a pair of outlets/switches inside. The round or octagonal box houses lightweight fixtures or safety devices in the ceiling.

What does gang mean in sockets?

In electrical terms, a gang is the name given to the number of buttons or sockets on a switch or socket plate, e.g. a 2-gang plate has two switches, a 4-gang socket means there are four sockets on the plate.

How many wires can be in a 2 gang box?

Double Gang Boxes: A total capacity of 34.3 cubic inches allows for 16 #14 gauge wires, 15 #12 gauge wires, or 13 #10 gauge wires. When two devices are added to the box, subtract three wires in each category.

What does 2 gang mean in electrical?

two lighting circuits





A 1 gang switch will control a single lighting circuit, and with a 2 gang switch you can control two lighting circuits, and so on.

What is a 2 gang?

A 2-Gang plate is the same size as a 2-Gang socket. For switches it refers to the number of switches. 1-Gang, 2-Gang and 3-Gang switches may be the same size, but have 1, 2 or 3 switch buttons.

What are the different types of electrical boxes?

The 7 Different Types of Electrical Boxes You Might Have in Your…

  • Metal and Plastic Electric Boxes. …
  • Standard Rectangular Boxes. …
  • 2-Gang, 3-Gang, and 4-Gang Boxes. …
  • Round Pan Electrical Boxes. …
  • Octagon and Round Electrical Boxes. …
  • 4-Inch Square Electrical Boxes. …
  • Ceiling Fan Electrical Boxes. …
  • Outdoor Electrical Box.

What size is a 2 gang box?

A: It is a 25 cubic inches (3 15/16″ L x 3 1/8″ w x 2 3/4″ d) . It will hold 2 light switches or 2 outlet switches.

What is 3 gang 1 way switch?



(86 products) A 3 gang light switch has three separate controls on a single faceplate to operate different light circuits. Also referred to as triple light switches, they are often installed in rooms which have three sets of lights and provides a convenient option to control each individual as required.

How many wires can be in an outlet box?

Comments (2) Actually that box has a total of 6 wires. It has two neutral, hot, and two ground. There is one long and one short ground.

How many wires can you put in a 4×4 box?

For example, the smallest 2-by-4-by-1-1/2-inch-deep box can comfortably splice only two cables (four or five conducting wires), while the largest 4-by-4-by-2-1/8-inch-deep boxes can handle as many as four to six cables (up to 18 individual conducting wires).

How do you count wires in an electrical box?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: There's one more rule equipment grounding conductor fill. And one volume account for all the ground conductors in the box use the largest size conductor in the box for the volume size in the example

Can I use a 1 gang 2 way switch for 1 way?

If you’re circuit is only one way, you can ignore this terminal and it will still work. This is because two way switches can also be used on one way circuits. Manufacturers don’t make decorative one way switches.

Why is it called a gang box?

Firstly, “gang” can be used to refer to the group of tools utilized for a particular project, thus making the receptacle in which they are stored the “gang box”. Secondly, a gang can refer to a group of workmen or tradesmen, hence the name for where their materials or tools are kept is the gang’s box.

What’s the difference between a 1 way and 2 way switch?

The one-way switch has two contacts and the two-way switch has three contacts. In a two-way switch, there are two, one-way switches combined in one. One of the terminals can be connected to either of the two, but not both at the same time.

Can a 2 way switch be used as a 1 way?



A two way switch can be used as a one way switch or a two way switch. They are often used as both. In fact many electrical retailers (including Socket Store) don’t sell one way switches as the price difference is insignificant and the two way will do the job for both.

When should you use a two way switch?

When would I use a two way light switch? You would use a two way light switch when you have two switches controlling one light, for instance in a hallway, where you have a switch at both ends of the hallway that controls the hallway light. You are able to switch the light on and off from either end of the hallway.

What is a 1 way switch used for?

A One Way switch is used when you only have one switch for a light, for example, a bedroom ceiling light. These are the cheapest switches available as the circuit is very simple and easy to make, making it the most basic and widely available types of switch on the market.

What wire goes to L1 and L2?

The yellow wire goes into the common terminal, red goes into the L1 terminal and blue goes into the L2 terminal. The grey wire goes in the common terminal, the brown wire goes in the L1 terminal and the black wire goes in the L2 terminal.