When did neutral at the light switch become standard practice?

[telectrix]

Every so often, I find the round JBs with the CPCs round the outside of the box, twisted together.

was common practice in the '60s when there were never enough terminals in the JB.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

was common practice in the '60s when there were never enough terminals in the JB.

In the 70s also, even when there were enough terminals.

 

[littlespark]

Not just round JB's... The square ones for lighting too.
Joints made, lid on, then all the cpc's wrapped over the top and twisted together in one of those old twisty type porcelain connectors.
You would have to dismantle the cpc joint to get the lid off to access any other joints.

At least they were sleeved. Maybe in pairs or 3 at a time.... but sleeved.

 

[Adam W]

In the 70s also, even when there were enough terminals.

Probably because it had become common practice in the 60s.
It could well have been shown to the next generation of apprentices as "the way we do it", then continued as "the way I was taught".

 

[Midwest]

Stopped the lids being unscrewed by a DIY'er

 

[Marvo]

At least they were sleeved. Maybe in pairs or 3 at a time.... but sleeved.

Bit pointless actually sleeving them if they're not actually in the enclosure with the circuit conductors...

 

[littlespark]

Possibly, Marvo… but it does distinguish cpc's from just a bit of wire holding the lid on

 

[Mattja]

Neutral to switch definitely makes changing light fittings/locations etc much simpler.

Just so long as a suitable box is put in for the switch... You know, enough room to actually put the switch on without damaging the wires behind it.

Last new build I saw had a 4-gang light switch in the kitchen with a 25mm box, I'd been asked to change it to dimmers... What sort of turd-burgling numpty puts in a 25mm box for a 4-gang switch?!

 

[Octopus]

Last new build I saw had a 4-gang light switch in the kitchen with a 25mm box, I'd been asked to change it to dimmers... What sort of turd-burgling numpty puts in a 25mm box for a 4-gang switch?!

A cheap skate .... unfortunately there are far too many of them about today .....

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

Neutral to switch definitely makes changing light fittings/locations etc much simpler.

Just so long as a suitable box is put in for the switch... You know, enough room to actually put the switch on without damaging the wires behind it.

Last new build I saw had a 4-gang light switch in the kitchen with a 25mm box, I'd been asked to change it to dimmers... What sort of turd-burgling numpty puts in a 25mm box for a 4-gang switch?!

One who’d asked the client if they thought they’d ever want dinmers instead of switches (more than once, mind you) and had been told, quite emphatically, that “of course” they wouldn’t?

 

[Kidsolo]

I am trying to find out when it became standard practice to run neutral to light switches.

Electricians started running active, neutral and earth to the switches when Plate switches became popular. Before that we used architrave switches and you cant fit all those wires behind the architrave. It is easier to only run a single cable to the light fitting when you are usually working off a ladder when connecting it.
It is all a matter of preference and what suits the job.