Changing a light switch

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

I wondered if there was someone there with electrical knowledge

Last year I converted the garage into a utility room. I had a proper electricial do the electrics. Part of the job was to put some lights in the roof space above. I don't go up there very often, but when I do I tend to forget to turn the lights off. (the switch is in the main part of the garage)

So I thought I'd replace the switch with one with a red neon indicator on. I acquired one at the local car boot for a bargain 50p (other items bought were large framed print £4.00, 5W practice amp £3.00, Scrable £1.00, set of 4 new mock suede cushions (new) £10.00)

However I'm not sure of the connecting procudure.

Existing switch has two terminals. Top one has a red and a brown wire attatched. These are live. Bottom one has a brown wire attatched. This is live also. There are other wires which come into the switch recessed box, including some earth wires, but these aren't connected to to switch.

Replacement switch has four terminals. top two are marked L1 and N1. Bottom two are marked L2 and N2. The bottom two each have a wire which is connected to the neon light. There is also a metal earth strip with two terminals.

Grateful for any advice.

Thank you.

[Mowser]

Two-way switch?

[country boy]

That's a double pole switch. IE: It switches both Live and neutral at the same time, for ultimate safety!! It will not do your job as you will not have a neutral in a light switch circuit.

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

Thanks both

Dratt, that's 50p wasted. I'm gutted

[casita-bonita]

Can't you just use one of the pairs for your existing wires?. Or am I being stoopid?

50p is 50p

[Beachcomber]

I was thinking that but the pilot light wouldn't work as there would be no neutral so he would be no further forward.

[Mowser]

Wouldn't it be simpler to buy a light with pir set to about half an hour? The trouble is they cost a tad more than 50p.

[casita-bonita]

I was thinking that but the pilot light wouldn't work as there would be no neutral so he would be no further forward.

Hmmnnn true. If the lights wire are accessible then you could bodge, err wire one leg to the neutral and the other to the normally off side of the switch pole you are using.

Really don't want to waste that 50p

[julian]

hang the 50p light switch on a piece of string from the ceiling just above the door so you will hit your head on it as you leave the garage, that will remind you to check that you have turned the light off.

[Beachcomber]

My own solution would have been to put a 'bulkhead' light fitting near the doorway with a low wattage bulb and wire it into the lighting circuit in the roof space.

[casita-bonita]

hang the 50p light switch on a piece of string from the ceiling just above the door so you will hit your head on it as you leave the garage, that will remind you to check that you have turned the light off.

LMAO.

Now there's a lateral thinker. Perfect solution.

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

Julian... My body would allready be in bits from banging me head on the roof timbers and scaping me shins on the sharp corner of the loft ladder, so the bump on the head from the hanging switch probably would go unoticed. Thanks anyway

Mowser... good idea but I allready have two 4ft long flourescents up there which would be wasted and also the light from your light would be too directional.

I think I'm just gona have to bite the bullet, a write off the 50p.

[patchdog]

I think I'm just gona have to bite the bullet, a write off the 50p.[/quote]


Now easy there Rick

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

[knowal]

Thank you all, for a most amusing topic.

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

We are only here to serve.

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."

John Milton

[carrowcrin]

The switching procees does not break both wires, usually the neutral goes to the celing, the live goes to the switch and an adittional cable goes from the switch to the celing therefore when the switch is on the circut is complete and light is on.

On the basis of this if you break the live at any point and put one end in each side of the switch it will do what you want.
Hope this is of help.

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

Thanks for that Carrowcin

I'm no electrical genius and I don't fancy cutting any wires.

I did a little job the other day.

One of the twin sockets had a faulty switch so I bought a new one.

We had notification from the electric company that the power would be off between 9 and 12 for maintainance. Right I thought, good oportunity to do the job. Power duly went off at 9. Quickly disconected the socket and connected the new one. Had a bit of trouble getting the two long fixing screws to engage in the recessed box. Completed the job. Five mins later the power came back on.
Blimey I thought, they said 9-12 power will be off. I could have been toast. Re read the leaflet. It said power "MAY" be off 9-12.

[Mowser]

Rick

FFS!

1 Buy an electrical tester screwdriver
2 Isolate fuse
3 Isolate mains
4 Check with tester screwdriver

Continue with DIY. You can NOT play around with electricity.

[RichardCoeurdeLion]

Thanks Mowser

This electrical screwdriver.. Is that the type with the little light on, so you can see what you're doing?

Next time I'll reqest that the national grid be shut down, before I start.