Replacing Landing Switch - need some help please

[Knobhead]

Now (black=red=brown) or (white=black=blue) depending where in the world we are….

 

[i=p/u]

just dont ever ask me to pass your tools, apprentice or not or youl end up wearing them like a magnet..... posts always go of on a 90 bend.... its aqll about opinion, and you guys sure have one which is good be chill out your day will come...

 

[alarm man]

just dont ever ask me to pass your tools, apprentice or not or youl end up wearing them like a magnet..... posts always go of on a 90 bend.... its aqll about opinion, and you guys sure have one which is good be chill out your day will come...

ip,chippy now,i'll have pie and chips,with gravy and a bun,now run there and hurry back.., oh and a diet coke:lips:

 

[Des 56]

an intermediate switch is used if there are more than 2 switches controlling the same group of lights. It could even be in the same room.

or time delayed

how is black not white,i could argue black is white all night,and as for how long is a piece of string im ya man.

Also 1+1 does not equal 2
Math Forum - Ask Dr. Math

 

[i=p/u]

seriously could of cracked when dude kept asking me to hand him tools, instead of being organised.... pie chips no probs but your not getting your change

 

[alarm man]

seriously could of cracked when dude kept asking me to hand him tools, instead of being organised.... pie chips no probs but your not getting your change

no problem..i only ever give a quid...and theres nothing wrong with handing tools to a spark,you get to know what tool does what job..we have all done it,call it training..

 

[Cheetz007]

What if all you have is black and red? No brown at all!

 

[Adam W]

What if all you have is black and red? No brown at all!

Bit of an old thread but if you only have black and red it's just a basic 1 way switch. The black wire should have a red sleeve around it to show that it becomes live when the switch is on.

 

[Cheetz007]

I think though that T&E has been used with the earth being marked as red. But I don't really have the test gear to test out my theory. Basically I'm hoping that the colours are what you would expect but I know that that's a stupid thing to do - this house was last wired about 40 years ago. I think my Dad got the wrong switch to be honest, but now I can't even get the original switch to work cos I wasn't here when he started mucking about with it.

I've told him to pay someone to sort it out.

 

[Cheetz007]

For reference, I knew it was an old thread, but I thought that it was more appropriate than starting a new one, seems to be the case since I've had a number of answers that pretty much confirm what I thought in the first place.

 

[Adam W]

Presumably the switch worked before, with the same wires you've got there?

 

[Cheetz007]

Yes, it did, but unfortunately I wasn't around when Dad decided to take it apart, otherwise I would have a much better idea of what is going on. The guy is in his 70s and doesn't always listen to my advice

 

[Adam W]

If it's a 2 way switch, (ie there's another switch which controls the same light) it sounds like he's used the earth as a live core, which IMO is unacceptable because the earth has a smaller CSA than the other cores and it relies on the outer sheath for electrical insulation when it's only intended to provide mechanical protection.
It might be worth getting someone to have a look at it.

 

[Cheetz007]

Well, from what I can tell, it looks like someone has used the earth as a part of the circuit, cos there's 2 pairs of T&E with a third wire which looks to me like it should have a yellow and green sleeve on it, so I'd say you are dead right there.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Yes, it did, but unfortunately I wasn't around when Dad decided to take it apart, otherwise I would have a much better idea of what is going on. The guy is in his 70s and doesn't always listen to my advice

Aye ...... us auld gadgees are like that!!!