Old original period light switches , condition report.

[Guest569]

Doing an CR on a very old period property with some very expensive original features. It has been rewired around 10 years ago but they have reused the old original switches, some of which I believe to me 70-80 years old!

A few of the switches are clearly arcing when moved so C1 noted.

What about the others that are (or appear to be) functioning ok?

These switches are pretty special but Im not prepared to put them as acceptable. A basic toggle switch won't cut it in terms of replacing them so bespoke switches likely to cost a few bob.

Replacing them is going to be a real mess/expense.

Thoughts?

Im inclined to have them down as C2.

 

[jaypp]

My cousin when he was a small child circa 1955 got out of bed during the night to go to the toilet - as you do.

He switched the light on and nothing happened because his mother had nicked the bulb (lamp??) to replace one that had popped, so he climbed onto the toilet seat and stuck his thumb into the bulb holder.

He's going on for 70 now and still has the 2 scars on his thumb.

Had he been holding onto the water pipe (high level cistern - chain pull job) with his other hand he would certainly have been dead.

joking aside that was lucky and also cos they had a toilet indoors! posh area eh?!

 

[MDJ]

Ha when I think an electrical accessory may be open'd by hand by absolutely anyone like a child or anyone . If a lamp holder is accessible to a child via bunk bed I've changed them before I think someone is at risk as with these switches accessible live part without tool . And with lamp holder I consider the use of a ladder to access a tool only an opinion witch I have . You give up ohhh I'm gutted il miss you

never mind, plenty more sheep on the mountain

 

[gnuuser]

one of these ??
I always keep them when I come across them , don't know why ???

i had one made of porcelain in my display case until someone binned it

anyway i would be concerned with its resistance when closed. and the condition of the contacts
at that age heat could have caused some weakness in the contacts.
its all well and good that a customer wants to preserve vintage equipment but safety is the primary concern here.
if you issue a report state the facts and make the customer sign a waiver absolving you of responsibility.
cover your arse

 

[Geordie Spark]

joking aside that was lucky and also cos they had toilet indoors!

I know!!

Very surprising that they had an inside netty considering that this house was in Nenthead (near Alston)

They had no gas and I'm not sure if they have yet and only had electricity courtesy of a lead processing plant in the village that was supplied from the grid.

 

[iamelectric]

c2 and where it says is further investigation required , write yes

 

[Aindowsimon]

Haha mdj that only happens just before we send them to England as food

 

[Aindowsimon]

A code 2 Really?

In my opinion yes . As the ones that are manufactured today have there live terminals insulated by a screw cover , with the round cover still screw'd on as originals did over the top I've got a load on the van at the mo . Just genuinely interested in others opinion on this I don't think my thinking on this is demented as per biff's quote

 

[MDJ]

In my opinion yes . As the ones that are manufactured today have there live terminals insulated by a screw cover , with the round cover still screw'd on as originals did over the top I've got a load on the van at the mo . Just genuinely interested in others opinion on this I don't think my thinking on this is demented as per biff's quote

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

 

[Guest569]

i had one made of porcelain in my display case until someone binned it

anyway i would be concerned with its resistance when closed. and the condition of the contacts
at that age heat could have caused some weakness in the contacts.
its all well and good that a customer wants to preserve vintage equipment but safety is the primary concern here.
if you issue a report state the facts and make the customer sign a waiver absolving you of responsibility.
cover your arse

I put at least 20 of them in the bin a month !

The ones in question are older.

 

[Fin170]

Wonder if he means the old industrial type toggle switches, they look quite smart in brass although I don't think it was intentional at the time

You might be able to find somebody that makes the porcelain switch units that go behind the plates but can't say I've ever seen them

 

[Marvo]

Heritage Bakelite Switches

Clipsal have a range called Heritage Page 29

 

[Flanders]

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

He did say it was rewired about 10 years ago using existing accessories

 

[Guest569]

Wonder if he means the old industrial type toggle switches, they look quite smart in brass although I don't think it was intentional at the time

You might be able to find somebody that makes the porcelain switch units that go behind the plates but can't say I've ever seen them

Yeah its the type that are held on by the threaded ring around the toggle only...

 

[Aindowsimon]

Changing the subject slightly, if the switches are that old whats the wiring like ?

I think your offering to op ??

Like I say I've got a load of the new type on van I'm going to take a photo they look well witch I'm installing at moment

 

[Aindowsimon]

Made by , Olivers lighting company seems good stuff