4 'unknown' switches operating hallway lights not working

K

kels bels

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #1

Hi everyone

I've come across some switches that I've never seen before (see pictures), there are 4 operating hallway downlights. The customer is currently turning hallway lights on and off using the mcb because the switches will not turn off the lights (they are permanently on).

Not really sure where to start because I've never seen these switches before... can anyone shed any light for me, or have any ideas on where I start fault finding. When you press the switches it makes a clicking noise in the fuseboard but lights do not turn off.

Thanks,

Kelly

 

G

goldie

• Jan 15, 2012

• #2

Possible the switches may be overide switches for the lights and the lighting may be switched on via a pir sensor which could be faulty causing the lights to be on constant. This type of smart wiring is more common in new appartments etc

 

OP

K

kels bels

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #3

Thanks goldie - I don't see any PIR sensors anywhere, and the customer said they have always had to use the switches to enable the lights to turn on/off in the past.

 

ipf

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #4

Could be remote wireless switches with central control. Where are the pictures Kelly ?

 

telectrix

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #5

where are the pictures?

 

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K

kels bels

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #6

Sorry - here they are

 

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G

goldie

• Jan 15, 2012

• #7

are these lv switches? noticed the metal plate isnt earthed and no sign of earth terminal. Get your voltage testers out. determine whether or not the switch is actually switching or not

 

E

Edd

• Jan 15, 2012

• #8

you say theres a clicking noise in the board when the switches are pressed, it sounds like a time switch circuit, or control circuit where the switches are momentery contact type and in the board theres a small timer or contactor (the size of an MCB that can be set). if you here clicking in the board it sounds possibly that the contacts are welded in the timer/contactor or its been switched to permant overide. I would investigate whats clicking in the board..

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jan 15, 2012

J

jamie-spark

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #9

I agree with edd sounds like an impulse relay great for multiple switching points as switch circuits are wired in paralell

 

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jamie-spark

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• Jan 15, 2012

• #10

I agree with edd sounds like an impulse relay great for multiple switching points as switch circuits are wired in paralell as it looks like the switches are wired

 

HandySparks

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• Jan 16, 2012

• #11

See my reply on your other thread with same title.

 

E

Engineer54

• Jan 16, 2012

• #12

This certainly sounds as if it's some sort of ''impulse relay'' system.

If you can hear the relay clicking when you press/ touch these switch plates then it's doubtful anything is wrong with the relay. My guess is that one of these touch plate switches are faulty, not allowing the impulse relay to change over/release...