Bit of advice, does the wiring of these dimmer switches look ok to you?

[Simon Newman]

I hope it's ok to ask, I just want to make sure I don't get the same electrician who wired the house to fix this if this doesn't look right.

We have a 3 gang and a 2 gang dimmer switch, on which the buttons are knackered on both. I thought I'd have a go at replacing them myself, but was not prepared for what was beneath the plates.

Apart from some snipped off cables, some cables with connectors on the end not used, I found that the 2 gang dimmer has 4 brown wires into one gang and 2 into the other. The 3 gang switch seems to be nearly all brown wires (although I can see some are chaining the gangs together). The two main power cables in have their earths joined it seems.

It maybe that this is all fine, but I wanted to check in case I get the same electrician. It looks like a mess to me, but I wouldn't know to be honest.

Thanks for your help.
Simon

 

[telectrix]

To op. Have you got a stable block?

can't have anything stable on IOW. it rocks like a demented rapper every time the tide turns.

 

[StephenRowley]

Previous owners probably decided to put up with it once they'd taken the plates off!

my bets are on it being the previous own diy work

 

[StephenRowley]

Previous owners probably decided to put up with it once they'd taken the plates off!

my bets are on it being the previous own diy work

 

[Pete999]

Any advice on how I can check another electrician isn't a bodge jobber before I get them in?

Could say check if they belong to one of the Competent Persons Schemes CPS, but even that doesn't mean that much these days, check around ask for referrals and proof of qualifications etc. If the paperwork, if you find any show that they belong to one of the CPS you could always contact them, but from what I have heard, they probably won't do anything, try Trading Standards, it's so sad that this type of thing goes on.
But of course it could also be the previous owners DIY attempts, proving guilt is going to be pretty much an impossibility, just hope you can find a Proper Electrician, and if you are that concerned, have an EICR done (Electrical Installation Condition Report) could be around 200 = 300 pounds, any faults that they find can be quoted for after the report is done, sorry for the long winded reply. Please let the forum know what any outcome is.

 

[Simon Newman]

Thanks for all your help folks. I've managed to find a good electrician recommended by a family member. Coming over early next week. I'll let you know what he finds! Hopefully he will find a way to stop the RCD keep tripping too.