Need Help With Unusual Light Switch in Kitchen Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[LordLucan]

Kitchen light fitting with halogen bulbs (if that makes a difference?), switch has broken and lights keep flashing on and off, changing colours and going from bright to dim - it’s like a disco!
I’ve tried local electrical factors and they couldn’t help, their tech guys are furloughed and can’t help either.
Can anyone suggest a replacement light switch I could buy? Pics attached.
Thanks

[Mr White]

The easiest option would be to look at the switch for a name and then buy another one the same brand.
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Question, failing above, do you just want another switch that will fit?

Can you also switch the lights on / off from another switch?

The wiring looks like it is a 2 way switch, so you want a 2 way dimmer switch that is rated for 250w (Yes, it does make a difference that they are halogen)

[ericmark]

It is called a grid switch, each make is different, so as @Mr White says you need to know the make, or change the grid.

As to dimming, in theory you should not dim quartz lamps, the whole idea of a quartz lamp is the quartz envelope is that hot the tungsten will not stay on the quartz but will re-deposit on the element, over time some bits of element with get thicker than others which will in the end cause it to go open circuit, but if the quartz is not hot enough it will go black as the tungsten is deposited on it and the bulb will fail prematurely.

I know we do dim quartz bulbs, but that means a shorter life.

I can't read what it says on back of switch, but some dimmer switches need a neutral, and some have a two way function and have a master slave system, I can see three wires, but not why three wires not two, so is there a slave to that master?