shared neutral in lighting circuits | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss shared neutral in lighting circuits in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

plebeian

DIY
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Location
London
I need some help in deconstructing the following ( please see photos of upstairs downstairs switches ) as I don't know what the circuit diagram would look like in this case?
It works perfectly well
Is seems to be a shared neutral circuit but does not follow the normal convention as shown in the diagram.
As the cabling is inaccessable I cannot trace the route.
Is this a known standard 1960's circuit
 

Attachments

  • [ElectriciansForums.net] shared neutral in lighting circuits
    downstairs.jpg
    98.3 KB · Views: 119
  • [ElectriciansForums.net] shared neutral in lighting circuits
    upstairs.jpg
    100.9 KB · Views: 122
  • [ElectriciansForums.net] shared neutral in lighting circuits
    diagram1.jpg
    28.4 KB · Views: 118
Why don't you think it is the same as the diagram? Without testing can't say for certain but the downstairs switch appears to have one cable providing a permanent line for (presumably) the hall light and the other switch, which is providing 2 way switching (via the grey twin cable and the upstairs light switch) to the landing? light. It appears from the photos as if there are no circuit protective conductors, which would put the install before 1966. If the upstairs and downstairs are on separate lighting circuits the landing light probably does "borrow" a neutral from the upstairs circuit. I see a lot of houses in my area with the same thing. I wouldn't call it a standard circuit as that might denote that it was once acceptable (as far as I know it's never been in line with the regs to borrow a neutral, even if it was fairly common practice in some parts of the country).
 
Given the 2 photos it's impossible to say whether there is a shared / borrowed neutral involved.
Both the 2 way, presumably stairs light and the one way share the same Live.

1960's and even later, convention would have been all lights, both upstairs and down on the same circuit, therefore a shared / borrowed neutral could not exist they would just all be on the same circuit.
 
There are no neutrals there. They are all permanent lives and switch lives.
I'm guessing you're looking at the red link conductor going between switches, that's a permanent live not a neutral.
 
I think the point of the pics is to show the situation that is suspected of giving rise to the borrowed neutral at the far end. Namely that the line of the 1w is also used to feed the 2w, and sent via the 2c strapper and the other 2w to a light on a different floor, where it borrows that floor's neutral. There's no certainty that's what has been done, but it's highly likely, given the age and nature of the installation.
 
I think the point of the pics is to show the situation that is suspected of giving rise to the borrowed neutral at the far end. Namely that the line of the 1w is also used to feed the 2w, and sent via the 2c strapper and the other 2w to a light on a different floor, where it borrows that floor's neutral. There's no certainty that's what has been done, but it's highly likely, given the age and nature of the installation.
I guess your trying to establish whether there’s a borrowed neutral on the the circuit, first are there 2 lighting circuits, if yes does the 2 gang switch control hall light and landing 2 way, if yes, if you isolate the downstairs lighting circuit does the landing 2 way on the 2 gang not work, if yes borrowed neutral on 2 way
 
I guess your trying to establish whether there’s a borrowed neutral on the the circuit, first are there 2 lighting circuits, if yes does the 2 gang switch control hall light and landing 2 way, if yes, if you isolate the downstairs lighting circuit does the landing 2 way on the 2 gang not work, if yes borrowed neutral on 2 way
Thanks - I will try that
 
Or run a brown single and earth from the upstairs lighting circuit in the consumer unit to the 2 gang switch, disconnect the link and connect to common terminal of the 2 way switch.The circuit should be rcd,d.
Regards,S
 
You can make it one circuit but it’s poor practice, most houses have 2 lighting circuits, if the decoration is not a concern cure the problem with a length of 3 core and Earth
There are five lighting circuits: two in the old house, two in the two later extensions and one in the garage.
There is another wall light opposite the 60's upstairs/ downstairs light which can illuminate the landing and hall it is connected to the extensions cu
 

Reply to shared neutral in lighting circuits in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Article
Join us at electronica 2024 in Munich! Since 1964, electronica has been the premier event for technology enthusiasts and industry professionals...
    • Like
Replies
0
Views
378
  • Sticky
  • Article
Good to know thanks, one can never have enough places to source parts from!
Replies
4
Views
953
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
1K

Similar threads

Yes I understand the setup now. Sorry about my confusing first post 🫢 It might be worth buying the Livolo switches you identified and lash at...
Replies
7
Views
2K
I'm not sure on the environmental implications, a good quality integrated fitting will last many years and be more energy efficient than the GU10...
    • Like
Replies
13
Views
1K
davesparks
D

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top