Help wiring two way light switch
- Thread starter daveTae
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You do not have a Neutral, so the switch will not work.
It is two-gang, not two-way which is one light operated from two separate switches.
It is two-gang, not two-way which is one light operated from two separate switches.
That wiring is really old and should have been replaced decades ago. The neither of two switches of the two gang in your first photo are NOT wired as a two way light switch. Two gang = two separate switches toggles, in one faceplate. Two way means there are two switches able to switch one light on and off, usually found top and bottom of a stair.
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Nothing wrong per se with 3/0.029, the major part of my lighting is still wired with it. It could certainly do with a decent inspection but has not turned sticky green.View media item 26849View media item 26849
Oooh! Red white & blue lovely!
BTW. Cables that old don’t produce the green goo. It’s some of the PVC cables, produced 1965-1970ish.
BTW. Cables that old don’t produce the green goo. It’s some of the PVC cables, produced 1965-1970ish.
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The existing switch plate looks like it is metal and needs an earth connection , is there an earth terminal on the switchplate ,behind the connector block ? If so ,you need to replace it with a plastic switchplate.
and when do you think those cable were installed?
Good spot and totally correct.
1950s.
and the wooden back box, much older than that.
Not necessarily - the wooden boxes were still used even after the launch of the standard knockout box in the 50s.
I have seen flats wired in 'flat' cable with pvc oval conduit for the switch drops, and with wooden back boxes. Old Crabtree switches with the C logo on the toggle.
Such an installation saw the first of the oval pvc conduit, and the last of the wooden boxes.
Always a crossover period when something new comes out.
I have seen flats wired in 'flat' cable with pvc oval conduit for the switch drops, and with wooden back boxes. Old Crabtree switches with the C logo on the toggle.
Such an installation saw the first of the oval pvc conduit, and the last of the wooden boxes.
Always a crossover period when something new comes out.
The wooden boxes were originally used with the old porcelain toggle switches, where the brass faceplate was held to and by the switch, with a threaded ring. Down the wall, under the plaster they often used a steel oval grip conduit, containing VRI cables. The conduits usually enabled PVC cables to replace them, when they were rewired and more modern plastic switch plates to be used, fixed to the wooden box.
So in my opinion that has been rewired at some point in time, probably in the 1950's early 1960's.
Indeed they did install a round toggle switch was fitted in the box, with a locknut holding on a square faceplate.
This was still done in the mid 50s or thereabouts.
Early pvc cable came out circa early 1950s.
This was still done in the mid 50s or thereabouts.
Early pvc cable came out circa early 1950s.
The house was built in 1968.
Our new school building of 1966 was wired with red, white and blue singles, as was the old building rewired about 68-69
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