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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> new light switch https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1090786053 Message started by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:07pm

Title: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:07pm

hi !bit new to this. in my light switch i have 3 wire`s..red,black and earth. is it possible to replace this single switch to a double switch so i can run another light fitting of it i.e...3 brass spotlight`s from B&Q thanks for any advice given!! steve.

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by supersparky on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:10pm

it is yes, but means running another cable to the switch and to new light and a junction box.
if thats not a problem and you feel compitant to do it, then we will explain how no problem

ss

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:13pm

if this is "indeed" possible.......do any of you kind "sparky" have a detailed wireing diagram as im a bit stuck (im a welder...NOT a sparky"

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by Lectrician on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:20pm

Your one of them...How many nails in your welder plug tops ;D

I will let Super S sort you out, Just hope your original "3 core" cable (actuall known as 2 core and earth) is in oval tube up the wall....will make your life easier :-) You can pull a 3 core and earth up in replacement.

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:23pm

so do i lectrician.....i can usually manage my household electrics but when i opened it up i was expecting to see more wires lol

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:26pm

and "yes" it is in a steel tube in the wall !then goes through the ceiling into the loft.

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by supersparky on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:30pm

well, not got a diagram right now but;
1. get a 4 terminal junction box and 1.5mm twin and earth cable,1.5mm 3core and earth cable, some red sleeving and earth sleeving aswell as your new lightswitch.+some capping to cover the cable

run a piece of your new 1.5mm cable to your new light position(if its going under the plaster chase a channel through the plaster and cover with capping and plaster)if its not going under plaster use trunking or clips.
take this cable to your ceiling rose if you have one(if not you will have to use the junction box)

take your 3 core and earth and attach it to the lighting cable present in the switch, use it to pull the 3core through the conduit(if there isnt any cut a channel as before/use trunking)
take the 3core to the ceiling rose aswell.

strip back and sleve the earth wire at the switch as before.
take the red and put it into the terminal marked 'com' take a short length of this cable and place it between 'com' of switch 1 and switch 2(on the new switch plate)
take the yellow wire, place red sleeving over it strip back the insulation and place in the 'L1' terminal of switch 1
take the blue wire and do as with the yellow but put into 'L1' of switch 2

at the ceiling rose put the red wire from the 3core into the terminal that the Red from the old cable was in (remove old cable)
put the yellow(sleeved with red) into the terminal that the black from the original switch wire went to

put the bare earth wire, sleeved with green+yellow sleeving into the terminal with all the other earths(where the original earth cable went to.)

now, your new wire from the new light position, the bare earth sleeved as before, goes with all other earths.
neutral goes to the neutral terminal that all the other black wires go to (its the only terminal you havent had to use yet)
the red should go into a terminal block (10amp) with the blue from the new switch wire.

ill try and get you a diagram if thats a bit garbled

ss

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:35pm

thankyou supersparky!that help`s a great deal cheers!!

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by Lectrician on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:36pm

Told ya he would, and bet he will sort ya a diagram aswell!!

Tube in wall, and loft above - its a job all us sparkies would love ;D (except on a hot day :-[ )

Good luck ;)

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 25^th, 2004, 9:42pm

lmao........dont hold ya breath,i ant done it yet.thank`s again. i`ll let you no how i go

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 26^th, 2004, 9:43pm

supersparky!!!!! job done m8! first time no prob`s thankyou once again! steve.

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by supersparky on Jul 26^th, 2004, 9:50pm

no problems

call back if you need anything else

ss

Title: Re: new light switch
Post by steve-bear on Jul 26^th, 2004, 9:59pm

will do for sure.....thanks again