Quick switch question

down2earth · Jan 26, 2009

Dear all,
Just started training to become an electrician, just done first week practical, made copious notes but not on the following: On a lighting circuit, when the feed comes into the switch first and then to the lamp, do i need to use 3 core to go from the switch to the lamp. Presumably the switched neutral and the live both go into the live bit of the lamp, if using 3 core, i guess the grey would go into the lamp neutral (with blue sheath) to complete the circuit. Apologies if this is really obvious but my brain hurts and I would appreciate some help

Thanks
Down2Earth

Hawk81 · Sep 25, 2010

hughesy said:
Instead of sleeving the neutral why dont you use twin brown+earth and lighting circuits can also be wired in 1.omm on a 6 or 10 amp mcb.

the twin brown vs brown and bue (sleeved) debate has been had before. I always use twin brown. a lot of guys on here say they can't get twin brown in their wholesalers. I think it is a better job. it seems to be used more here in Northern Ire than in England.

Sintra · Sep 25, 2010

Twin brown on the mainland is as rare thing for some reason don't ask me why.

If i need it i normally get it couriered from back home or direct from doncaster cables.

robsparky1975 · Sep 25, 2010

You will get the hang of it,they will probably cover 2 way and intermediate as well,i did read in the press this week that there are currently 100,000 people on electrical training courses in the uk at present,its number one must be all the promises of 50k a year,the people running these courses and charging between 3-5k and sending the "qualified electricians" out after 2 weeks,some(not all)maybe dont have an idea in the real world,the providers have a lot to answer to,i just think these guys and girls are getting scammed of there money.

Risteard · Sep 25, 2010

Hawk81 said:
the twin brown vs brown and bue (sleeved) debate has been had before. I always use twin brown. a lot of guys on here say they can't get twin brown in their wholesalers. I think it is a better job. it seems to be used more here in Northern Ire than in England.

Indeed. I've never seen anyone here use brown & blue instead of twin brown (or red & black instead of twin red in days gone by).

Paul.M · Sep 26, 2010

robsparky1975 said:
You will get the hang of it,they will probably cover 2 way and intermediate as well,i did read in the press this week that there are currently 100,000 people on electrical training courses in the uk at present,its number one must be all the promises of 50k a year,the people running these courses and charging between 3-5k and sending the "qualified electricians" out after 2 weeks,some(not all)maybe dont have an idea in the real world,the providers have a lot to answer to,i just think these guys and girls are getting scammed of there money.

Doesn't bother me that much because 75,000 of these people are getting sent to the Isle of Wight to work

Only joking Rob.

malcolmsanford · Sep 26, 2010

robsparky1975 said:
You will get the hang of it,they will probably cover 2 way and intermediate as well,i did read in the press this week that there are currently 100,000 people on electrical training courses in the uk at present,its number one must be all the promises of 50k a year,the people running these courses and charging between 3-5k and sending the "qualified electricians" out after 2 weeks,some(not all)maybe dont have an idea in the real world,the providers have a lot to answer to,i just think these guys and girls are getting scammed of there money.

Spot on. Use to be called Diluties. A vast majority of them will never get taken on as employed sparks due to lack of exeperience. So they will then turn to the domestic market as "Domestic Installers" saturating an already over crowded market.
As robsparky1975 says they are scammed a lot of money is paid for these get qualified quick courses which are sold that after 7 or 8 weeks they are "qualified Electricians".
Not only are these young people sold a false hope but the customers are sold an inferior product as the vast majority of them are not "Qualified Electrcians" far from it.