Difference between live & load connectors

Sprogginz · 27 Nov 2015

I'm installing a new light switch and I'm trying to get my head round which connector is used for power coming in and which is going out to the light itself.

Judging by this illustration, the load connection is one going out to the light. Is that right or have I just killed myself?

BTW, I know the S is used for the slave switch but I'm not using one.

Thanks and hope you can help.

ban-all-sheds · 27 Nov 2015

Sprogginz said:
Judging by this illustration, the load connection is one going out to the light. Is that right

It is.

The load is the thing which does some work with the electricity provided to it.

But it would work fine if you swapped the connections.

stillp · 27 Nov 2015

[QUOTE="ban-all-sheds, post: 3514988, member: 3777"

But it would work fine if you swapped the connections.[/QUOTE]It certainly would if it was a simple mechanical switch, but with a master dimmer?

333rocky333 · 27 Nov 2015

The wavy line symbol with the arrow through it is the symbol used on dimmers for a VARIABLE OUTPUT to the lamp (Load)

Ps, anyone know where the electrcal symbols are in the reply box nowadays

ericmark · 27 Nov 2015

Some under the Ω sign next to camera.

Sprogginz · 27 Nov 2015

Thanks for all your help gentlemen.

It is for wireless dimmer switches. I have wired the lights into the load connection and they light up but with teething problems however this maybe due to a compatibility issue with the dimmable LEDs.

I'm assuming that had I wired them the wrong way round, they wouldn't have worked at all and possibly damaged the unit?

Thanks again.

Iggifer · 27 Nov 2015

Nope, still would have worked

ban-all-sheds · 28 Nov 2015

stillp said:
It certainly would if it was a simple mechanical switch, but with a master dimmer?

It's AC.

Think about how the potential difference between L & N varies, and which way current flows through the device, and how it could tell the difference if "Live" and "Load" were swapped.

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Difference between live & load connectors

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