Re using Bakelite switches

[dtec dave]

Evening All

Just quoting for a re-wire and the customer has asked if he can keep his original bakelite switches, not sure about this but guessing he can't as they don't conform to current BSEN. Can anyone point me the right direction??

Cheers in advance

 

[marconi]

We have these in our home:

Bakelite Light Switches Range - https://www.periodhousestore.co.uk/bakelite-range-light-switches.html

Never had a problem switching GLS, drivers for 8 x 12V 50W halogens, fluorescents, CFLs or 10 x LEDs.

 

[Squid]

How lush are your clients Bakelite Switches - https://www.switchtowood.co.uk/shop/bakelite-switches?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4fHkBRDcARIsACV58_HR7KYhtXIgFomdTbOGnWvpoY1xrrzgZid7EF9iWDdLwceXBN_V744aAvAxEALw_wcB

You are both from Leeds....... is there a plush area? ;o))))

reminds me of my dad's house, built 1926, purchased in 1958. bakelite switches, VIR cables, asbestos backed fuses in wooden CU., all original installation from 1926. 15A round pin sockets, no fused plugs, house never burnt down. nobody got electrocuted; had to rewire socket circuits 1980 due to them new-fangled 1363 plugs on all new appliances. only fuse that ever blew was the DNO 30A rewireable. it popped soon after we swapped the coal fired cooker for an electric monstrosity. (1988). welling up now.i loved that cooker fed from the adjacent coal fire, until the cat decided to sleep in the oven and mother fired it up for sunday dinner. never seen a cat run so fast with it's fur smouldering.

Makes me feel old, mine was built in 1906.....

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

I’ve used the switches from “ Switch To Wood” as mentioned above. Really rather good, but really rather expensive too. In the right house they’re the mutts nuts.

 

[Chris1234]

If they are the type that don’t conform with the current regs then you could go down the selv route and switch the lights via relays or even rf units

I’ve been saying you can do this to fit metal light switches where there is no earth wire, for around 5 years!
Your the first other person I’ve ever heard suggest it!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I’ve been saying you can do this to fit metal light switches where there is no earth wire, for around 5 years!
Your the first other person I’ve ever heard suggest it!

Frequently used in commercial installations.

 

[MJPD29]

I can't understand the appeal of them for some people they are old brown and ugly

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I can't understand the appeal of them for some people they are old brown and ugly

Probably why I’m single.

 

[freddo]

A friend had Edwardian light switches in his house, unearthed brass domes that easily unscrewed, and if you loosed the dome a turn or so the dome would rock enough to touch the live parts underneath! Awesome feel when operating though.

One of his very old lights was solid brass, screw in lampholders with the thread connected to the brass arms and wired with a single core to each lamp holder...