Serrano

Hmmm, I think you're getting confused here. There is no "UK 'two-wire' system" nor an "Italian 'three-wire' or 'four-wire' system", and there is no fundamental difference between dimmers. While the physical layout of the wires in the two systems is different, there is no essential difference in wiring at the switch.

There are a significant number of possible configurations, but assuming for simplicity a single light fitting with no multiple-switch relay involved (and ignoring any earth wires) you should have two wires for a one-way switch, three wires for a two-way switch and for two switches of a >2-way switch circuit and four wires for the remaining switches of a >2-way switch circuit.

This applies in both countries. I think you are being misled by the fact that multiple-way switching is, in my experience, much, much more common here in Italy than in the UK.

Dimming of multiple-switched lighting systems is at times not trivial (and often not desirable either). But the units themselves are exactly the same in Italy and the UK.

And as has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, dimming of flourescent and LED loads is difficult. Additionally, you should be aware that continual running of halogen lights in a dimmed state tends to shorten their lives drastically. In fact the only lamps that present no problems whatsoever with dimming are the traditional tungsten lamps (which in general you can't buy any more)

modicasa

Oh lordy - the three most subscribed threads are light switches, private schools and getting Blighty food sent over. what more can i usefully say.

HADENOUGHPIZZA

Take heart , the food thread is being abused by Mark trying to get Lorna to adopt him , he's also looking for teaching resources on another thread and doing his best to lighten up ( no pun intended ) this one with photos of unusual switches .... I'd post on the '' reading '' thread but I can't find it ......

Lorna at Vicenza

Well back to lights .......

has anybody ever seen any dimmer lights here because I haven't and I've been inside a lot of houses?

Serrano

Yay, I have . Admittedly only once in domestic premises. It was designed in 1997/1998 by a (very modern) Italian architect studio for a small house in our village.

HADENOUGHPIZZA

Good Point ! neither have I, we do have a free standing lamp that has one on the wire , it came from Ikea so strictly speaking its swedish anyway .

MarkRD

Yeah we've got one of those too, but it doesn't work properly anymore. I think it's because of those new fangled light bulbs*

(*sorry if that's too off-topic HadEnough..)

HADENOUGHPIZZA

you used candles ????? gas fired lamps ?? apologies accepted

MarkRD

No I meant those new ecological, energy saving ones. Still haven't worked 'em out.
(Oh for the days when a light bulb was just a light bulb..)

pugliese

don't think there is any need for dimmers in Italian houses because they are already dim - they do everything possible to keep theM dark and cool which of course, means cold and dismal in winter. LET THE SUNSHINE IN!

Isakat

You nailed it Pugliese, the Italian houses are dimmed to the max, including matching dark furniture.

MarkRD

Not! Ours is light and brightly coloured . .and we get sunshine morning and afternoon cos we're on a corner.
Mind you , we are a bit *funny*.

Isakat

Well, ours was a bit, that is why we opened 3 new windows and trimmed trees around.

Lorna at Vicenza

The big, solid, dark, furniture is mostly from the older generation. Especially that thing they call a "parete soggiorno" and it takes up a whole wall of cabinets with a Tv space in it.
I have seen some lovely, very modern kitchens and lounges and beautifully lit and tiled bathrooms ........... and I always wonder how much money they spent because the light furniture in my house is cheap Ikea bookshelves.

I too have all the sun through the kitchen window in the morning and it moves around to the the lounge and my bedroom in the afternoon.
I love it and only ever pull down the "tapparelle" in the lounge when it really is boiling (we have no air-con) or if the sun is on the TV screen and I want to watch something.