one way switch

diyperson · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:59 pm Post Subject: one way switch

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 · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:34 pm Post Subject:

are you in the UK?

RF Lighting · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:38 pm Post Subject:

Could be very old three core.

Can you take a photo and post it on here?

If not we need more details

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diyperson · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:39 pm Post Subject:

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

securespark · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:30 am Post Subject:

My guess is Red, Blue & Yellow.

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diyperson · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:28 am Post Subject:

Ok here are the pics:

Steve · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:31 pm Post Subject:

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 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:01 pm Post Subject:

crafty1289 wrote:

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 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:16 pm Post Subject:

crafty1289 wrote:

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 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:59 pm Post Subject:

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 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:05 pm Post Subject:

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 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:14 pm Post Subject:

RF Lighting wrote:

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

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ricicle · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:40 pm Post Subject:

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

Maxxy · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:55 pm Post Subject:

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

RF Lighting · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:58 pm Post Subject:

It'll be tinned copper, rather than alu conductors

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