Old switches different wiring

Luki01 · Nov 16, 2023

What type of switches are these ? How do I replace them , they’re all over the house 3 way switches different wiring never seen them before older house ? Thanks in advance .

littlespark · Nov 16, 2023

Wow.

Best bet would be @Megawatt being our resident American practicing electrician.

Are those just single core cables hanging in the wall void? no romex or outer covering?
Looks like they're just wrapped around a nail???

Megawatt · Nov 17, 2023

Luki01 said:
What type of switches are these ? How do I replace them , they’re all over the house 3 way switches different wiring never seen them before older house ? Thanks in advance .

To be honest I think those switches are older than me, but it appears to be 3 simple switches so replace the old box with a 3 gang box and install 3 normal switches. It looks like 1 live coming in and feeding 3 different loads. Please turn off power. Good luck and welcome to the forum

freddo · Dec 6, 2023

I assume this is some extra low voltage system, as the common for the 3 switches appears to be connected to a rivet on the metal plate? Or does it just go into the side of the first switch?

littlespark · Dec 6, 2023

i think it is "mains" voltage, @freddo but that will be 110v in US

And i think the switches are built with the pigtails hanging off like that.... i suppose like the blue tails we get on rcbo's in UK. Permanently connected.

As megawatt says, these must be really old switches, so live bare metal that can be easily touched wasn't thought of at the time.

davesparks · Dec 6, 2023

freddo said:
I assume this is some extra low voltage system, as the common for the 3 switches appears to be connected to a rivet on the metal plate? Or does it just go into the side of the first switch?

It definately looks that way, could be relying on a plastic cover plate for protection or might be neutral switching.