Bulb Blown - Now Light Switch Works In Reverse

P

pbar

Joined
12 Mar 2007
Messages
456
Reaction score
2
Location
Cheshire
Country
United Kingdom
This is really strange, just wondering if it's a common thing to happen. Had a brass light switch that's been on for a few years that operates the bathroom and seperate toilet. Turned the bathroom light on the other day and the bulb blew. So, changed it, and ever since the switch worked in reverse, in that when the switch is up the lights are on, the total opposite to how it's been for years. I know I can correct it by using the L1 connections instead of the L2, although haven't tried that, if something's not right electric-wise then I'd rather get rid, but just can't understand why?!
I've put a plastic switch on, using the same common/L2 terminals and that works fine.
Anyone come across this before?
Thanks.
 
Sounds like the high current taken by the lamp as it failed has welded one of the switch contacts shut.


New switch time I reckon.
 
Thanks for your reply.
It's strange as the switch works perfectly, apart of course, from it now working in reverse.
Just wondering if this is a familiar issue, need peace of mind that it isn't something else that's gone wrong!
Can understand it if the switch stopped working, or was making improper connections, etc.
But it's fine, apart from working in reverse. And it's both switches that are doing it, as it's a double switch.
Strange!
 
Yes, definitely.
Both the bathroom light and toilet light now come on with the switches in the up position, the opposite to how they were before the bulb blew.
I've put a double standard white switch on, using the common and L2 terminals for either side and it works fine. I put the brass one back on, and it works the reverse, i.e. the switch is in the wrong position for the lights to be on/off.
 
Just a thought, sorry if I'm being daft but are you sure you havent either put the switch back on upside down, or it was upside down before you put it on right way up?
 
mikeyd said:
Just a thought, sorry if I'm being daft but are you sure you havent either put the switch back on upside down, or it was upside down before you put it on right way up?
Click to expand...

Both of those options went through my head. But no, it was the right way up. The thing is, the switch was never messed with. I simply changed a blown bulb, then the switch started to work in reverse.
Funny, but my wife's suggestion to solve this, was to turn the switch the other way up!
 
Does the switch feel as positive it did before when switching? its maybe that the toggle has sheared inside the switch and it still switches but in reverse now, have come across this years ago when they were more popular before the rockers of today. As stated above, time for a new switch
 
pbar in your 1st post you told us that you have 2 lights (bathroom and toilet) operated by a switch (in the bathroom). In your 2nd post you mentioned another switch. If we are to help you, we need to know what the relationship is between each switch and each light.

I'm guessing that your bathroom originally included the toilet. Some time ago a partition was installed to allow private use of the toilet while someone else is in the bathroom. The lighting circuit was modified so that the original single bathroom switch became a double switch plate, with one switch for the bathroom and one for the toilet. Is this correct? Is it one switch for the bathroom only and one for the toilet only or does the bathroom switch also operate the toilet light?
 
pbar said:
Funny, but my wife's suggestion to solve this, was to turn the switch the other way up!
Click to expand...

your wife had turned the switch upside down when you weren't looking.
 
kevnurse said:
pbar in your 1st post you told us that you have 2 lights (bathroom and toilet) operated by a switch (in the bathroom). In your 2nd post you mentioned another switch. If we are to help you, we need to know what the relationship is between each switch and each light.

I'm guessing that your bathroom originally included the toilet. Some time ago a partition was installed to allow private use of the toilet while someone else is in the bathroom. The lighting circuit was modified so that the original single bathroom switch became a double switch plate, with one switch for the bathroom and one for the toilet. Is this correct? Is it one switch for the bathroom only and one for the toilet only or does the bathroom switch also operate the toilet light?
Click to expand...

No, you're completely wrong.
It's a separate toilet and bathroom. Both lights operated by a double light switch outside of both rooms.
 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
light switch L1 and L2 positions reversed
Replies
2
Views
8K
Stoday
Stoday
D
one way hall switch works in reverse
Replies
6
Views
1K
dimdodo
D
S
New light switches
Replies
2
Views
667
steved0608
S
T
2 way light not working - help please
Replies
8
Views
3K
tonyhague
T
S
Bulbs blown now light not working!!
2
Replies
23
Views
19K
SallyC
S
Back
Top