Replacing lightswitches.

[knowall]

Clearly I do not test earthing with a £10 multimeter, I don't even own a £10 multimeter.

Perhaps you would care to share with the rest of the group, how YOU would test for earth continuity at a light switch…......

O' it's the group now …… I do not, and never will be, accountable to you.

KA

 

[Iggifer]

as i expected

 

[knowall]

GOOD

 

[Iggifer]

What I obviously didn't make clear in my last post, was not that I expected you not to be accountable, rather that you do not have the first clue about how to test for earth continuity, either with a £10 meter or even an ELI meter

 

[knowall]

I am testing for a functional earth not the contiuity of the circuit CPC to the MET.

As stated in my first post = assuming there is an earth ?

The OP appears to have understood my point.

Now, tell me how YOU undertake a ze with a £10 multimeter.

Would you sign off the job ?




KA

 

[pineapple]

The thing you need to know is what type of switches you need in each room.

You see, what appears to be a single light switch could be a one way switch, a 2 way switch, or an intermediate.

A one way switch has two terminals.

A two way switch has three terminals.

An intermediate switch has four terminals.

A two way switch can be used instead of a one way switch.

Two gang or three gang switches very usually consist of two way switches.

As said, you must have a working earth at metal switches.

My head hurts

 

[aesmith]

My head hurts

Just take them one by one. What light does it switch, and how many other switches (if any) also switch that light.

 

[aesmith]

Now, tell me how YOU undertake a ze with a £10 multimeter.

I don't think it can be done. However would you really need to retest Ze if you're not making any changes at the supply end?

 

[sparkwright]

The thing you need to know is what type of switches you need in each room.

You see, what appears to be a single light switch could be a one way switch, a 2 way switch, or an intermediate.

A one way switch has two terminals.

A two way switch has three terminals.

An intermediate switch has four terminals.

A two way switch can be used instead of a one way switch.

Two gang or three gang switches very usually consist of two way switches.

As said, you must have a working earth at metal switches.

My head hurts

If you like, turn all the power off, and send photos of behind some or all of the switches.

This will help us to tell you which switches you need to get, and may give us some indication on the state of your installation.

 

[Iggifer]

yawn

 

[aesmith]

... But if everybody had to verify that before doing any DIY, then there would be no DIY done. ...

Which I sometimes think is the aim of some posters here, especially when testing is trotted out as the trump card to discourage even routine tasks like replacing a switch or a light fitting.

A discussion on DIY testing might be interesting, what can be tested with the sort of kit we're likely to have to hand, what tests should be done that a DIYer might not think of, what risks remain that would have been caught by professional testing and what can be done to mitigate these.

 

[Iggifer]

... But if everybody had to verify that before doing any DIY, then there would be no DIY done. ...

Which I sometimes think is the aim of some posters here, especially when testing is trotted out as the trump card to discourage even routine tasks like replacing a switch or a light fitting.

A discussion on DIY testing might be interesting, what can be tested with the sort of kit we're likely to have to hand, what tests should be done that a DIYer might not think of, what risks remain that would have been caught by professional testing and what can be done to mitigate these.

Quite. Clearly nobody is going to go out and buy/rent an Earth Fault loop tester to change a light switch, but then at least verifying the CPC you see at the light switch is actually connected at least to your consumer unit, is better than nothing.

And apologies, I edited my post after you quoted me. Getting tired of being drawn in by trolls

 

[aesmith]

And apologies, I edited my post after you quoted me. Getting tired of being drawn in by trolls

No problem .. I did actually hesitate because you weren't really the poster I had in mind as trying to put the "not" into the "diynot" forum.

And I agree, changing plastic switch for a metal one I would check the earth continuity as it may never have been a concern before.

 

[EFLImpudence]

A discussion on DIY testing might be interesting, what can be tested with the sort of kit we're likely to have to hand,

If by we you mean DIYers then -
If you have a DMM, continuity and voltage between line, earth and neutral.
However, a long lead may be required so perhaps not continuity.

what tests should be done that a DIYer might not think of,

All of them.

what risks remain that would have been caught by professional testing

Any faults that were unnoticed because no testing was done.

and what can be done to mitigate these.

I think mitigate is the wrong word but the answer is nothing.

 

[RF Lighting]

My mother used to say "if you've nothing worth saying, then don't say anything"