Redundant but possibly live switch - appropriate action?

[SirBob]

Hi all,

I have a couple of rooms with light switches at skirting board height which don't appear to have any effect when switching them - no lights or appliances operate regardless of their position.

What is the most appropriate course of action.

Thanks.

 

[pjcomp]

If they look like light switches but are at skirting level they're probably switches for night storage heaters (which you presumably no longer have). Have you got two fuse boxes/consumer units? If you have, one of them used to be for the NSH, and it might be possible to reroute the cables from the switches to your main CU and activate the switches as sockets (best to get in an electrician to have a look and advise).

Or you should be able to remove the switches and plaster over the holes, but you still need to get it checked out that the NSH circuits are no longer active.

PJ

 

[wingcoax]

Do the switches have a little fuse holder at the side? If for nsh they usually do.

 

[SirBob]

No fuse holder, just a plain old single switch in that slightly yellowed plastic that you get in old houses.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Photos?

 

[securespark]

I would guess they are 20A DP switches too. But turn off all electrics in the house, then loosen off one switch and you'll be able to see how many conductors there are attached to the switch and what thickness they are.

That'll give you a clue.