Light switch wiring question

[James middleton]

Hi. In regards to a 1way light switch that has a loop installed at the switch can I simply install a new switch and put the loop wires in l2 and the switch in l1?

 

[westward10]

Loop into top terminal and switch in L1. Connect the earth to the earth terminal of the switch as it requires a direct connection to earth.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Hi. In regards to a 1way light switch that has a loop installed at the switch can I simply install a new switch and put the loop wires in l2 and the switch in l1?

If you do that, it will not work, ever.

Where do the 'loop' wires terminate at the moment?
What colour are these 'loop' wires?

 

[littlespark]

Some switches have a terminal marked ‘loop’ which is where the neutrals are connected to. This terminal has no function for the switch and is simply somewhere to park the neutral wires.

If your new switch doesn’t have this, use a bit of connector for the neutrals.

A photograph of the existing switch connections and all the cables at the switch would help us give you more accurate advice.

 

[phil 01]

When you say loop, you mean a live in and out or a live and neutral in and out, and a switchwire and neutral out to the light?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

What you have there, is a 2 way switch.
Depending upon the switch position, you will have continuity between either L and L1 or L and L2.
If you were to put the permanent live into L and the neutrals into L2, whenever you switched off, your fuse or MCB would blow or trip. All your lights would go off.
You could feasibly put the permanent live into L1 and the neutrals into L2.
I would not recommend doing such though.

 

[DPG]

Neutrals into L2? But then what would happen??!!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Neutrals into L2? But then what would happen??!!

What do you think would happen?

 

[phil 01]

Some people write replies without thinking of the consequences of what they are writing, this is part of being an electrician is you understand how all the component parts work, I read a post the other day, “on how do you do a rewire” crazy that we even reply to these people especially the general public.

 

[phil 01]

Further to the comments “what you have there is a 2 way switch” all one gang switches that are enhanced, chrome, satin, etc are nearly always 1 gang 2 way, find out the facts first then you can give advice that fits the situations

 

[DPG]

Further to the comments “what you have there is a 2 way switch” all one gang switches that are enhanced, chrome, satin, etc are nearly always 1 gang 2 way, find out the facts first then you can give advice that fits the situations

It is a fact that the picture showed a 2 way switch. Not sure what you are getting at here?

 

[westward10]

I suspect the switch in question is up and running or blown to pieces

 

[chris gray]

With no earth terminated in the earth terminal

 

[westward10]

With no earth terminated in the earth terminal

That is his choice #2 points this out.