NEEPS

Diana · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject: Electrics question

Anyone know anything about home electrics? The OH needs help...

He's replacing a dimmer switch with a conventional on/off switch, because he's put an energy-saving bulb in the light fitting. The problem is, he's not sure how to translate the way dimmer switches are wired to how on/off switches are wired.

At the moment, with the dimmer switch in place, there are two lots of three core cable coming into the backbox - one coming from the mains and one going to the light fixture. It's all common sense - the earth wires go to the earth terminal on the switch, the neutral (blue) wires ere linked together via a small piece of connector block, while the two live (brown) wires go to each terminal of the variable resistor that is the dimmer. Thus turning the dimmer increases or decreases the resistance on the live wire, dimming or brightening the light.

However, he's not sure how to take those two sets of wires and wire them correctly to a simple on/off switch, which has fours terminals marked earth, 1 (1way), 2 and Com.

The earth wires will go to the earth terminal of course, but what to do with the two sets of live and neutral wires?

Neither of us is took keen on him just 'giving it a go' - with the risk of burning the place down or something going bang (probably him) - so advice from anyone who actually knows what they're doing (Oi, I heard that - OH) would be very welcome.

Thank you
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Diana · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject:

Don't worry, I've found the answer - sorry to have wasted anyone's time.

[Note to self - DIY means exactly that, not get the OH to do it!!!

]
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Sassinak · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

LOL - Been there !!

Phil will do jobs, it's the planning and waiting time that I can't cope with.

Much to his annoyance I just jump in and do jobs and sort out the problems as they arise

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PurpleDragon · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

Argghh! I was really hoping to read the answer to this question, as we are going to be changing our dimmers for proper switches soon.

I thought it would just be a matter of taking one off and putting another on, but now i find that isnt the case so I would love to know how to do it properly, please.
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JamesB · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

thats ok, I wanted to answer the question anyhow!
if you just want a simple on/off switch then use com and either L1 or L2. its a double pole switch so u can wire two together if you want to switch from two locations if you wanted.
incidently, if you are buying the switches for new then you can just purchase a single pole switch (slightly cheaper) which only has 2 terminals so no confusion there.

James
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Smooth Hound · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

surely if your dimming your bulb, your using less electric anyway, at least youve got the option of turning it up when you want to work on something, or am i just being difficult

Sassinak · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject:

I don't think that dimmers work properly with energy saving bulbs
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PurpleDragon · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject:

No they don't work properly but the main reason I want to change is that my living room and dining room lights have 5 bulbs in each and every time the bulb goes, the switch fuse needs replaced and as they are 1amp fuses, it is a real pain in the bum to keep trying to keep a stock of them.
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wildgarlic · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

You can now get energy saving bulbs that will work with dimmers.

SH has a point - does it work that way?
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JumbleJim · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:

Diana, I read your posting with fear and trepidation......I think that the contents of it illustrate exactly why it is illegal now to do your own wiring (has been for two or three years at least).....the very fact that you are asking and therefore unsure would seem to suggest that there is insufficient confidence and knowledge to do the job safely. Sorry if this sounds a bit brusque, it's not meant to, just very concerned. Know your limitations and leave potentially fatal stuff to the experts as far as DIY is concerned....but seriously, I am sure that it is a legal issue too now.