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What sort of light switch is this?

20 replies

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 14:05

It operates the outside light.

What sort of light switch is this?
What sort of light switch is this?
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dementedpixie · 25/04/2021 14:19

What does the front of the switch look like?

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 14:29

The top of the rocker is red.

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dementedpixie · 25/04/2021 14:43

Can you post a picture

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 15:36

It’s not very exciting.

What sort of light switch is this?
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Tangledtresses · 25/04/2021 15:41

I think it's called a 2 gang switch as there's another light circuit attached to it.... so there must be another switch that works that light too?

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 15:43

No, only one switch works the outside light. I’m sure our hall wiring was done on a Friday afternoon with a bag of random spare switches.

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Tangledtresses · 25/04/2021 15:43

Sorry a 2 way switch!

nickymanchester · 25/04/2021 19:56

That looks like a 3 wire system. That sort of stuff isn't usually used for just an ordinary outside light.

However, having said that, it is the sort of switch that is used eg for an extractor fan isolator in the kitchen (for the extractor above a hob).

Does your outside light also have another switch (maybe actually outside) to turn it on and off? That would make sense.

I’m sure our hall wiring was done on a Friday afternoon with a bag of random spare switches.

That sort of makes sense. I don't really know what to say other than that appears to be the sort of switch used to isolate extractor fans above a hob in your kitchen.

PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 20:07

It appears to be a 2-pole switch. It is not an ordinary lightswitch. I hope it is supplied from a lighting circuit and not from a socket circuit.

It does not work the same way as (most) UK lightswitches.

Most UK room lights, on an indoor ceiling, have the circuit run to the ceiling rose, and a single wire runs from the rose to the light switch, and returns. The lightswitch interrups the line to the lightbulb.

The outdoor lamp is separate from the indoor lighting circuit, and both L and N are supplied to it, and switched, by your switch.

The switch might be a 20Amp one, that's the most common of that type. It does not matter.

An advantage of an isolator like that is, it enables you to fully disconnect the outside lamps, for maintenance, or if they get water ingres in heavy rain (quite common)

PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 20:10

if you wanted to, you could change it for one with a neon or LED (usually where the red indicator is) to remind you it was turned on. But modern LED lamps are so cheap to run that it is hardly worthwhile.

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 20:10

No, it’s only got one switch operating it. The outside light in the gardens operated by the same type of switch.

So, say I wanted to replace the shitty white switches with nice chrome ones what do I need to order?.

Dh did all the sockets etc in the old house but these have us baffled. The cooker hoods on a standard fused spur unit, we changed that with no problems.

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PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 20:32

"So, say I wanted to replace the shitty white switches with nice chrome ones what do I need to order?"

If you want to change the lovely, simple white switches with gaudy metal ones:

start by checking if it that outdoor lamp is fed from a socket circuit or a lighting circuit. A lighting circuit is usually on a 6Amp breaker

If it is on a 6A lighting circuit, your "outdoor" lighting switch needs to be a DP isolator. You will probably be offered a 20A one. You might possibly find a 6A one.

All your indoor switches will be light switches, their type will vary. In most cases you can use 2-way switches. Just buy a heap of them. Because you can use a 2-way switch as a 1-way, but you can't use a 1-way switch as a 2-way. Lots of people carry only 2-ways to save stocking the two types of switch.

If you have any lamps operated by three or more switches, you will need some intermediate switches. You will notice the difference when you look at the backs.

Examples here but there will be an electrical wholesaler near you, probably down some back street on the seedy side of town or on an industrial estate. Avoid the cheapest or unbranded accessories. They will want you to know what you want and write a list before you arrive. Prices shown usually exclude VAT.

BTW, if you are very clean in nature, you can use a small paint brush and a hoover hose to clean all the dirt and dust out of those backboxes. Turn off the electricity first. It will avoid dirt falling out when you are decorating, and dust smears occurring round the boxes in use.

PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 20:45

BTW

it is essential that metal switches and sockets are earthed. You may find the existing bare copper earth wires are twisted together and pushed into one piece of green and yellow sleeving. It is now considered better practice to do them separately. You may need some extra, so buy a hank of G&Y sleeving, it is very cheap. Do not use tape. 10metres of 3mm will do.

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/04/2021 22:05

I don’t have an outdoor switch. I’m still no clearer on what I’m going to replace this switch with.

This isn’t our first house or the first time we’ve replaced the switches but these don’t make sense or match to what I can buy.

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PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 22:18

by "your "outdoor" lighting switch" I meant, the switch to your oudoor lighting.

You need a DP switch, if it is supplied from the lighting circit.

If it is supplied from a socket circuit (shouldn't be, but check) it will be something else.

PigletJohn · 25/04/2021 22:22

example

white one

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/04/2021 13:49

Thank you, that’s very helpful.

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PigletJohn · 28/04/2021 16:29

yes, that's a 20A DP isolating switch.

I don't know what "ingot" is. The design, perhaps.

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/04/2021 16:32

I think it’s another way of describing the switch part? The rocker?.

Thank you.

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