Neutrals at switches

[Guest 004]

Went to a job today, twin and earth, and it had been wired 2 plate, which of course meant that all the switches had the neutral taken to them.

WTF, if I had done that in my apprenticeship I would have been kicked off site.

Is this how things are done now, god I hope not.

 

[londonlec]

Whats wrong with it then?

 

[Adam W]

It's a more convenient way of wiring downlighters, wall lights, or any other fitting without a 3 plate rose.
That said I'm not too keen on doing that in houses if I can help it.

 

[Engineer54]

Why not ask yourself ''what's right with it'' ??? Unless there is an actual need for a neutral at the switch point, then there shouldn't be any neutral conductors there, really very simples!! lol!!!

 

[malcolmsanford]

It;s been done like this for years..................agreed I was taught loop in/out at the ceiling and that is considered the norm, but would have no problems with an installtion done with neutrals in a switch ...........

Is there a reason you don't like it?

 

[Mr Mike]

Some new switches available where the neutrals can be made off at the switch. Not sure what make they are

 

[RWJ]

Some new switches available where the neutrals can be made off at the switch. Not sure what make they are

Hager I think

 

[Engineer54]

It;s been done like this for years..................agreed I was taught loop in/out at the ceiling and that is considered the norm, but would have no problems with an installtion done with neutrals in a switch ...........

Is there a reason you don't like it?

If there's no need for a neutral at the switch, then No i don't like it. A lot of this looping neutrals at the switch is more by laziness than for any real need. If you were wiring an outside light , fine bring a neutral to the switch. For down lighters, what's wrong with keeping the neutral conductor in the ceiling void??

 

[RWJ]

It's the Hager Sollysta Range

sollysta White Moulded Hager


Although I doesn't mention it on the website it is in the PDF brochure.... PAGE 9

http://download.hager.com/hager.uk/files_download/general_catalogue/7_sollysta.pdf

 

[Guest 004]

I don't like neutrals at switches if they are not needed, and you will have to block it, which I totally disagree with.

 

[londonlec]

Its much easier and safer making off terminations at switch height as opposed to hanging off steps ten foot in the air.

 

[Electricalserv]

Never came across this....anyone got any pictures of how its done? Doesn't sound good to me...

 

[malcolmsanford]

Its much easier and safer making off terminations at switch height as opposed to hanging off steps ten foot in the air.

I was just writing that. As I said I was taught the conventional way, but there as been many a time when you have a loop in, loop out, and S/l/live up in a ceiling rose, where I wish there was just the one cable there, and I can mess about at the switch doing this.

 

[Engineer54]

Its much easier and safer making off terminations at switch height as opposed to hanging off steps ten foot in the air.

As i said ...more laziness than any real need for a neutral in a switch box...

 

[Electricalserv]

I was just writing that. As I said I was taught the conventional way, but there as been many a time when you have a loop in, loop out, and S/l/live up in a ceiling rose, where I wish there was just the one cable there, and I can mess about at the switch doing this.

Is it o.k takeing a Zs measurement at the switch though......