shower pull switch neon light stays on

[zebs]

We just replaced ours,as old one kept flickering and going out, it had sl burnt wire.But with new switch, the neon is now on continuously. We wired it identically to previous switch (where neon came on with switch or off as required) but now wonder if new switch had feeds opposite way. Just really worried in case it's not safe. Shower does seem to respond to pull switch (irrespective of light) and working okay again now. Sorry for all the questions. Is the burnt wire from the old one anything that should be properly investigated, does it happen for another reason?? Cheers

 

[echoes]

Firstly, the neon being permanently 'on' is usually caused by wiring the permanent live conductors to the 'load' side of the switch - you need to verify this.

Secondly, the burnt wire is commonly caused by a loose connection to the switch. You must cut away all signs of overheated wire back to where there is bright copper. Failure to do this will mean that the connection is likely to overheat again and is a dangerous situation.
Make sure the new connections are tight enough. Use the correct sized screwdriver.

 

[zebs]

thanks, we wired it identically to before, but wonder if the switch layout could be reverse to the old one? is it dangerous...?, i wondered if it was wired backwards but didn't want to upset my hubbie... All seems to be working fine otherwise and he stripped the wire back etc

 

[zebs]

also, which are the "permamnent live conductors"

 

[echoes]

'Permanent' live conductors are the line and neutral going to the consumer unit.
Switched conductors are line and neutral going to the shower. The neon is connected across these so it light up when the switch is closed ('on').

It's clearly not electrically identical to the old switch (unless that was also wired wrongly...)
The terminals on the switch are labelled - it will work fine and is not dangerous - but it is wrong, has the potential to confuse anyone maintaining the shower circuit, and should be corrected.

 

[zebs]

pheww..that's a relief, but will get it corrected. i didn't want to question my hubbie's handy work, but SAFETY is safety!
He thinks the cable's must be back to front ( 2 cables for feed and load ) as old switch light worked as it should. Will compare the 2 switch layout's when get some daylight.

We couldn't work out that it was working if wired back to front
The MCB went about 2 months ago and replaced by our electrician, however the shower is about 10years old now

Thanks for the advice

 

[echoes]

Glad to help! (And yes - feed and load are the wrong way round)

 

[ban-all-sheds]

.... wonder if new switch had feeds opposite way .... we wired it identically to before, but wonder if the switch layout could be reverse to the old one .... He thinks the cable's must be back to front ( 2 cables for feed and load ) as old switch light worked as it should ....

 

[zebs]

HA...!
my husband just bought a new switch, again and decided it is wired the opposite way around to the old one, mmm that's his reasoning anyway.... Thanks though,shoukd do the trick when we switch the cables over

 

[JohnD]

that picture reminds me of when I bought a house on a new development. We discovered that due to a mistake by the builders, my garage key opened my neighbour's garage, and his key opened mine.

We had a terrible job taking the garage doors off and swapping them round.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You daft b*****s!

Why didn't you realise that you only had to change the locks over...

 

[JohnD]

funny thing is, our wives got the keys mixed up later, and we had to swap the doors back again.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Swap the wives?

Or move into each others houses?

 

[JohnD]

perhaps it would have been easier to swap keys

 

[Steve]

Every school needs a class clown. We have two.