POLL - Neutrals at switches

[RWJ]

As the title suggests

In respect to the debate in this thread http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...electrical-forum/33420-neutrals-switches.html


I've decided to launch a poll to gage response from the forum.

3 Answers
GOOD / ACCEPTABLE - If you think Neutrals at switches is OK
BAD / UNACCEPTABLE- If you think Neutrals at switches is NOT OK / WRONG
UNDECIDED - If you have no preference or are fence sitting (like me)

The poll is timed for 7 days...... So get polling

 

[malcolmsanford]

Put a deep enough box in and I can see nothing wrong with it.

However, if all you are doing is wiring pendants, then I can't really see the point in wiring to the switch first, however, if you want to keep the number of cables down at the light position (say for a fancy light) then its a good way to wire it.

Pros and Cons to both wiring method's, which is why an experienced sparky can decide which method is best before undertaking the wiring!

Just to throw a spanner in the works, who still wires a feed to a joint box in the roof space and wires all switches/lights from that???[/QUOTE]

That was the way I was taught the old Octopus/spider method, and we had to fit the box with din rails, klippons and label each circuit

 

[Gravid]

Yeah did the old spider method the other day on a rewire, I like to mix it up a bit, and that was the most appropriate method.

 

[davelerave]

the spider and the loop-in to lights are handy for rewire's anyhow

but imo-it should be one 'method' throughout installation

they shouldn't be mixed

 

[aptsys]

Wall lights or downlights would always loop in at the switch for me, pendants at the rose, bathrooms with timed fans etc at the isolator. Saying they shouldn't be mixed is potentially setting yourself up for more grief than you need in my opinion.

 

[davelerave]

i would decide at start on one method


whichever-singles,loop to lites or switches ,spider

but imo 'best practice' is one method throughout

as much as possible anyway-there might be a few lights+switches done different where needed

 

[Spudnik]

Options edited.

 

[RWJ]

Options edited.

Thank you Jason

 

[VoltzElectrical]

You only have to look at some of the pictures provided in the other thread to see that its bad practise putting so many cables into such a small backbox. Using a switch as a junction box is terrible. The only people to have a switch that encorporates this is hager (as far as I know), so it can't be that common otherwise all the manufacturers would have this encorporated.

DoBBY. Welcome back.

 

[lewlec]

9 times out of 10 its loop in at the switch for me, much less hassle when doing fancy light fittings... and as already mentioned if many cables put a deeper box in... but thats just me!

 

[davelerave]

looks like a labour landslide wah

 

[SMB]

Why would anyone 3 plate a down light?

The mind boggles.

Take the mains to the switch.

 

[timo]

Loop to switch cos putting those small light fittings up with 9+ wires in can be a right pain. pluse must better when doing down lights no messy box in voids

 

[mike2790]

p+n loop to the switch all day long, why make things hard for yourself. any faults when you test through, theres no need to "get the steps out the van" as its all there in front of you at the switch. the only reason you wouldnt be able to fit a few extra cables into a backbox is if your using 16mm boxes, which i never use anyway so no problems.

anybody use 10 way lighting boxes on rewires and lighting alterations etc?

 

[Voltimax]

What exactly is the point of this thread?

 

[telectrix]

What exactly is the point of this thread?

dunno, mate. i'm staying neutral.