Hi,
I am just in the process of replacing all the metal (i.e. brass and chrome effect) light switches in our house with plastic ones because most of our five lighting rings do not have an earth.
I was also planning to replace the metal patress screws with nylon ones.
Two questions for the experts please:
1. All of the back boxes are flush mount ones - i.e. the back box is buried in the wall. In most cases the walls are brick as only a couple of our internal walls are plasterboard. I thought back boxes in brick walls were always netal, but a number of ours are plastic. Am I right in saying that where I have plastic back boxes I can get away with using metal screws on the faceplates instead of nylon ones?
2. I had assumed that the existing metal faceplates were electrically conductive. But when I put a continuity tester across them it appears as if they are not after all. Does this mean they have some kind of plastic film coating on them and, if so, does that mean I could get away without replacing them with plastic faceplates?
Before I get shouted at, I will be replacing them anyway, because I hate brass switches with fancy edging. question 2 is being asked purely for interest's sake.
Cheers,
Dave.
I am just in the process of replacing all the metal (i.e. brass and chrome effect) light switches in our house with plastic ones because most of our five lighting rings do not have an earth.
I was also planning to replace the metal patress screws with nylon ones.
Two questions for the experts please:
1. All of the back boxes are flush mount ones - i.e. the back box is buried in the wall. In most cases the walls are brick as only a couple of our internal walls are plasterboard. I thought back boxes in brick walls were always netal, but a number of ours are plastic. Am I right in saying that where I have plastic back boxes I can get away with using metal screws on the faceplates instead of nylon ones?
2. I had assumed that the existing metal faceplates were electrically conductive. But when I put a continuity tester across them it appears as if they are not after all. Does this mean they have some kind of plastic film coating on them and, if so, does that mean I could get away without replacing them with plastic faceplates?
Before I get shouted at, I will be replacing them anyway, because I hate brass switches with fancy edging. question 2 is being asked purely for interest's sake.
Cheers,
Dave.