time lag switches

[svouts]

Hello,
We have 5 time lag switches in the communal area of my building, similar to the one in the following web link; they do not pop out so the lights stay on all night.

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=1623061&CMP=e-2072-00001000&gross_price=true

Can I buy better quality switches?
Are electronic better or pneumatic?

 

[securespark]

I like the electronic ones:

They cannot be jammed with match sticks.

They have a neat neon locator.

This is an outdoor version but it shows you the features:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK560Adash1.html

 

[svouts]

that looks good.
My only concern is durability since they are going to be used dozens of time per day?

 

[Spark123]

Electronic ones may need a neutral at the switch hence you'd need to find out what you have before buying anything.
The old ones don't just need a tweak of the timing screw on the back to they?

 

[flameport]

If there are multiple switches, the other way is to use retractive switches at each point, and have one central timer which is locked away where persons can't tamper with it.
If a switch gets broken, it is cheap to replace.

Switch example:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK4878P.html

Timer example:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMTSSL1.html

 

[svouts]

Thanks that is very good idea!
Is this a cartridge type timer that needs to be installed in an electric switchboard or can be installed independently on the wall or the ceiling?

 

[Spark123]

It goes in an enclosure which is a good idea to have next to the consumer unit. As I said above, unless you are wanting a complete rewire of the circuit - you need to know what you have there already.

 

[OwainDIYer]

this is a similar model in a standard faceplate

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK320A.html

The Elkay website has a wider selection including ones which don't need neutrals and can directly replace vacuum switches.

 

[333rocky333]

clipsal air switches look nice and dont reguire a neutral

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLIPSAL-E319-PNEUMATIC-Automatic-Cupboards/dp/images/B005QZTFJ6

 

[sparkybird]

but they work on the same principal and so will eventually fail. Plenty of no neutral required electronic ones around. They do have a min load though, so if switching low energy or florescent lights you may need to add in a dummy load or capacitor (learnt that one from experience!)

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It goes in an enclosure which is a good idea to have next to the consumer unit. As I said above, unless you are wanting a complete rewire of the circuit - you need to know what you have there already.

Wouldn't pneumatic switches be wired like normal ones, L & SL drop from the light position(s), and therefore the circuit need rewiring if you changed to retractive switches triggering a timer at the CU?

 

[333rocky333]

but they work on the same principal and so will eventually fail.

Proberly less likely to fail than the electronic ones, ive replaced a few of them elkay ones recently and although they need no neutral im pretty sure they still have an internal battery.

The columbus ones are not as well made now and ive had a few with faulty terminations from new, the older ones seem to have lasted years on some sites.
most problems are from customer abuse,sticky plungers or adjusted wrong, rather than faulty switches

 

[Spark123]

It goes in an enclosure which is a good idea to have next to the consumer unit. As I said above, unless you are wanting a complete rewire of the circuit - you need to know what you have there already.

Wouldn't pneumatic switches be wired like normal ones, L & SL drop from the light position(s), and therefore the circuit need rewiring if you changed to retractive switches triggering a timer at the CU?

Yes, they'd also probably need to do some rewiring if they bought and used an electronic one which requires a neutral.
It is impossible to spec something with different requirements without knowing what is there already.