woah! Danger present with BG outdoor light switch

[daveb]

Thought i'd share this one that happened to me today....

Was wiring up a customer gazebo with BG weatherproof fittings (light switch, sockets, JB and mains board). Anyway, all went fine and was on to testing the circuits.... circuits all tested fine.

The lighting cables were terminated into a JB for the time being as the customer does not have the lights yet. So, once I had finished and just by chance i thought i would use my voltage pen on the connectors just to prove the light switch was off. Pen lit up but the switch was off? Scratched the head..... used my voltage tester and was getting 108 volts with the switch off!

The BG outfdoor light switch has a neon on it via a resitor on the lead between common and one way terminal..... guessed that this was the problem rather than a faulty switch so removed it which in turn completely removed all voltage when the switch was off.

Very dangerous if you were relying on the switch to isolate the power so thought i would share.

Anyone else come across this before??

 

[HandySparks]

About the sort of reply we've come to expect.

Ha ha! True. davesparks doesn't believe in sugar-coating the truth.

 

[daveb]

think someone thinks he's more superior than the rest of us on here

 

[Dave OCD]

I think I started wiring lighting looping feeds through switches around 20 years ago, probably more. At the time older sparks would frown upon it saying people could connect sockets etc from a light switch but times have changed.

 

[Rpa07]

A single socket at 1200 - sounds like a dream, no bending down ever again!

 

[Dave OCD]

Both methods have there advantages. When we do new builds 9/10 times the switch is fed. When doing rewires with a pendant in each room we normally 3 plate the light as less to get down to the switch.

What I find easier still for rewiring ground floor lights Lee is a central JB with a cable from each light,switch and the supply back to it. A proper old fashioned method but of course I'd use a maintenance free box with Wagos or Ideal push in connectors and glands. If it's a normal adaptable box I might write 'MF' on it.

 

[Dave OCD]

A single socket at 1200 - sounds like a dream, no bending down ever again!

Always used to say 4' 6" or 't!t height' for light switches.

 

[daveb]

arghhhhh!!!....... i've come across one of these on a job a couple of times. They've been called an "octopus box". Complete nightmare trying to suss them out!!!

 

[Dave OCD]

arghhhhh!!!....... i've come across one of these on a job a couple of times. They've been called an "octopus box". Complete nightmare trying to suss them out!!!

They're ok if done methodically and neatly Dave, I'd also put a label at the CU detailing the location and method used, it could be in an upstairs cupboard if available rather than under the floor.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Always used to say 4' 6" or 't!t height' for light switches.

Shins to ----. There's ya zones.

arghhhhh!!!....... i've come across one of these on a job a couple of times. They've been called an "octopus box". Complete nightmare trying to suss them out!!!

Spider method. Seen a few spots wired like that. Never a full floor!

 

[davesparks]

arghhhhh!!!....... i've come across one of these on a job a couple of times. They've been called an "octopus box". Complete nightmare trying to suss them out!!!

Why s nightmare? Lighting circuits are very simple to work out, it's just a few switches and lights.
If you find a central JB on a lighting circuit to be a complete nightmare then how on earth do you cope with simple control systems?

 

[davesparks]

About the sort of reply we've come to expect.

What, the truth?
Has this been common for a long time? Yes
Is it only a problem for someone who can't isolate a circuit safely? Yes
Will they learn a lesson from their mistake? Hopefully

 

[daveb]

You my friend, are so unbelievably arrogant and seem to believe you are some superior electrician with all the knowledge in the world. Really don't know how you are allowed to post on here without being banned. If you can't reply in a nice manner then why bother? You're either very insecure or a very small man. Everyone else on here keeps the posts civil - why can't you?

 

[DPG]

Davesparks, why don't you just troll off somewhere else. Sick of your superior smug replies to everybody. It got like this before and all that happens is people start leaving the forum.

 

[GMES]

Guys, let's Keep it civil and move on please. If a member isn't happy with another members comments then please feel free to use the report button, much better than derailing a thread, cheers lads.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

*grabs popcorn*

So about them neutrals huh? Lol