Types of socket fronts

[JLeague]

So I have an electrician out for a rewire quote and he said that he will wire up the sockets, lights etc but I have to provide the light switch fronts, socket faces -which is fine as we wanted flush metal fronts.

So are metal fronts better than plastic or is it just cosmetic?

Also are flush sockets / light switches better or worse than those that stick out a bit?

Any brand that I should buy?

Sorry I don't know the correct terms.

 

[telectrix]

Will this be a major additional cost? I have 13 light switches and I like the idea of future proofing the property as I intend to stay here for five years at least.

I have asked 3 electricians to quote for the job and once I have agreed on an electrician then I would then ask him to add this to his quote rather than ask the other two electricians to requote as well.

the cost to loop at the switches rather than at the lights ( so you have a N at the switch/es ) would not involve much extra cost. might use a bit more cable and mean slightly wider chases.

 

[JLeague]

the cost to loop at the switches rather than at the lights ( so you have a N at the switch/es ) would not involve much extra cost. might use a bit more cable and mean slightly wider chases.

Sorry to sound stupid but you have me confused. I just refer to switches as how I turn on/off lights and sockets where you plug items in.

So I should say I need neutral at the light switches and not where the light fitting is in the ceiling or I need neutral at both points?

 

[telectrix]

there are 2 basic ways of wiring lights.

1. loop at light fittings. then you have L, sw/L and N at the light but only L and sw/L at switch. this method was the most common from 1980 ish.

2.loop at switch/es. then you have L , N, and sw/L at switch, but only sw/L and N at light.. this method is becoming more common these days, with multiple downlights and/or smart switches that require a N at the switch.

i won't complicate things by explaing other methods using junction boxes that were used prior to the late 70's early 80's.there are other alternatives also.

 

[JLeague]

there are 2 basic ways of wiring lights.

1. loop at light fittings. then you have L, sw/L and N at the light but only L and sw/L at switch. this method was the most common from 1980 ish.

2.loop at switch/es. then you have L , N, and sw/L at switch, but only sw/L and N at light.. this method is becoming more common these days, with multiple downlights and/or smart switches that require a N at the switch.

i won't complicate things by explaing other methods using junction boxes that were used prior to the late 70's early 80's.there are other alternatives also.

Telectrix thankyou for the explanation which makes sense to me - really appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

Telectrix thankyou for the explanation which makes sense to me - really appreciated.

a propos of that, what i do now is whehter looping at lights or switches, I run a 3 core/E from switch to light, rather than just a T/E. that way, all bases are covered.