Quick answer
Fit a 4G Maxwell mixed light switch by isolating the circuit, wiring the toggles for on/off control, connecting the dimmer module with auto-detect leading/trailing edge dimming, and securing the brass plate. Always test each gang before final assembly.
Before you start: tools and safety
You will need a voltage tester, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, wire strippers, and a 4-gang back box with at least 16 mm depth to accommodate the dimmer module. Turn off the mains supply at the consumer unit and confirm zero voltage at the switch location before touching any wires.
The Maxwell 4G mixed switch combines two toggle switches and two dimmers on one slim brass plate. The dimmer uses auto-detect leading or trailing edge dimming, so it works with most dimmable LEDs and incandescent bulbs without manual adjustment. However, always check your bulb compatibility: leading edge suits incandescent and some LED, trailing edge suits LED and electronic transformers.
Understanding the 4G layout
The plate has four positions: leftmost and rightmost are toggle switches (for lights you simply turn on/off), the two middle positions are dimmers (for mood lighting). Each gang is independent, so you can assign any circuit to any position, but grouping dimmers together on the plate makes the wiring neater and avoids mixing load types on the same module.
Installation steps
- 1. Isolate and prepare the back box: Turn off the mains supply. Remove the existing switch plate and pull out the cables. Check that your back box is at least 16 mm deep and has four separate compartments or sufficient space for the dimmer module. Label each cable (e.g., 'left toggle', 'middle dimmer 1', 'middle dimmer 2', 'right toggle'). Common mistake: using a shallow back box that cannot fit the dimmer module – always measure depth before starting.
- 2. Wire the toggle switches: For each toggle position, connect the live (brown) wire to the common terminal and the switched live to the L1 terminal. Connect the neutral wires together in a connector block (they do not connect to the toggle). Earth wires connect to the earth terminal on the metal plate. Checkpoint: ensure the toggle switch clicks firmly into place – a loose toggle may indicate incorrect wiring or a bent terminal.
- 3. Wire the dimmer module: Connect the live wire to the dimmer's 'L' terminal and the switched live to the 'L1' terminal. The dimmer module has two wires for the load; connect them to the corresponding load cables. The dimmer automatically detects leading or trailing edge, so no manual adjustment is needed. Common mistake: reversing live and switched live on the dimmer – the dimmer may not work or could flicker. Double-check polarity with a voltage tester before securing.
- 4. Secure the plate and test: Gently push the cables into the back box, ensuring no wires are pinched. Align the brass plate over the mounting lugs and tighten the screws evenly. Restore power and test each gang: toggle switches should click on/off, dimmers should ramp smoothly without flicker. If a dimmer flickers, try swapping the live and load wires – some installations require reversing polarity for auto-detect to work correctly.
- 5. Final adjustments: If the dimmer does not reach full brightness or dims too low, check that the bulbs are dimmable and compatible with trailing edge dimming. The Maxwell dimmer works with most dimmable LEDs, but very low wattage loads (under 10W total) may cause instability. Empty
Product used in this guide
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MAXWELL 4G Smooth Mixed Light Switch 2 Toggle / 2 Dimmer - Brass: The Maxwell 4G mixed light switch combines 2 toggle switches and 2 dimmers on one brass plate, finish-matched to Plank's brass cabinet hardware. The dimmer uses auto-detect leading or trailing edge dimming for smooth control. You get precise light control in one plate without needing separate modules, and the auto-detect dimming saves you from having to choose the dimming mode manually.
MAXWELL 4G Smooth Mixed Light Switch 2 Toggle / 2 Dimmer - Brass