one way switch

diyperson · 31 Oct 2006

Hi, I need to replace a one way switch which was left open & unfinished by the builders. There appears to be one red wire, one blue and one white. The white is connected, the red and blue are still unconnected. Not sure what's what. Any help would be appreciated. Jim

Steve · 31 Oct 2006

are you in the UK?

RF Lighting · 31 Oct 2006

Could be very old three core.

Can you take a photo and post it on here?

If not we need more details

diyperson · 31 Oct 2006

Yep, I'm in the UK. I'll post a pic tomorrow. Thanks.

securespark · 1 Nov 2006

My guess is Red, Blue & Yellow.

diyperson · 1 Nov 2006

Ok here are the pics:

Steve · 1 Nov 2006

OK, you need to find whats on the other end of that cable. It probably goes to the ceiling rose, or a junction box somewhere. Take a picture of that, and then we can advise.

EDIT: on closer inspection, that looks like flex. Still wierd colours though. Is the red wire connected to the metal backbox?

davelx · 1 Nov 2006

crafty1289 said:
OK, you need to find whats on the other end of that cable. It probably goes to the ceiling rose, or a junction box somewhere. Take a picture of that, and then we can advise.

EDIT: on closer inspection, that looks like flex. Still wierd colours though. Is the red wire connected to the metal backbox?

Don't think it's flex - the individual strands in the cores are too thick.

diyperson · 1 Nov 2006

crafty1289 said:
OK, you need to find whats on the other end of that cable. It probably goes to the ceiling rose, or a junction box somewhere. Take a picture of that, and then we can advise.

EDIT: on closer inspection, that looks like flex. Still wierd colours though. Is the red wire connected to the metal backbox?

Hi, the red wire isn't connected to the box, it's just resting on a bit of plaster.

Spark123 · 1 Nov 2006

If I am to believe everything that I have been told, many, many, many, many moons ago, white was used as a phase conductor before yellow. As there doesn't appear to be an earth conductor for your metal dimmer switch then either put a plastic one on (and change the back box) or rewire is probably the most sensible option. I suppose you could use the spare core as an earth but the likelyhood of their being an earth in the rose/jb is slim.

JohnD · 1 Nov 2006

I seem to remember that some European countries use Red, White and Blue as their phase colours and 3-core. I heard it was from the colours of the national Flag (so probably France if it wasn't us).

As good a reason as any other.

RF Lighting · 1 Nov 2006

RF Lighting said:
Could be very old three core.

L2 did indeed used to be 'white phase' many moons ago before it was changed to 'yellow phase'

I have seen it in a couple of old factories which I beleive were wired some time in the 60s

I too have heard the colours were chosen in homage to the Union Jack

ricicle · 1 Nov 2006

Yes, our factory has white in some of the original armoured cables as the (yellow,black,L2) conductor.It was completed in 1961.

Maxxy · 1 Nov 2006

As far as i can see no ones mentioned it, but it looks like aluminium conductors to me.

RF Lighting · 1 Nov 2006

It'll be tinned copper, rather than alu conductors

diynot

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one way switch

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