What are these switches with red lights above?

DIYNotIan · 26 Feb 2020

Hi

Sorry for the el thicko question, but are the switches in this photo with the red lights above light switches or for something else?

Cheers

333rocky333 · 26 Feb 2020

Probably 20amp Double pole switches, but can be used for light switches
Possibly used for Heaters or immersion heaters back in the day look early 70s or older

JBR · 26 Feb 2020

I have one like that in the conservatory which supplies power to an outdoor double socket.
I can see the sense in that as it indicates whether or not those sockets are live which would be important to know, although in my case I have a pond filter and fountain which is on all the time, so not essential.

DIYNotIan · 26 Feb 2020

Great, thanks for the replies. So sounds like even if use as a light switch is not the primary intention, it can still be used for that...

Does everything in the photo look old/70s? Apparently they are NOS, but I'd be buying over the internet so I can't see them before purchase. Is there much that can be wrong with them? Can the innards rust or tarnish or can anything else go wrong?

Cheers

JohnD · 27 Feb 2020

Why do you want to buy 40-year old switches?

DIYNotIan · 27 Feb 2020

Just for aesthetics to be honest. They'll be going into a cowshed/barn conversion so will be in-keeping with the style...

JohnW2 · 27 Feb 2020

DIYNotIan said:
Just for aesthetics to be honest. They'll be going into a cowshed/barn conversion so will be in-keeping with the style...

For what it's wort, brand new modern metalclad accessories do not look significantly different from those.

Kind Regards, John

DIYNotIan · 27 Feb 2020

New ones cost a lot more though

But aesthetics and cost aside, if the age of these means they may not perform as they should, then I'll leave them. What might be wrong with them?

JohnD · 27 Feb 2020

How many do you actually need, and what do you want to do with them?

Why do you want metalclad?

Have you thought about the metalclad boxes to go with them? Or are you going to chisel them into a wall?

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_I...iring_Accessories_Metal_Clad_Index/index.html

DIYNotIan · 27 Feb 2020

JohnD said:
How many do you actually need?

Not sure of total numbers yet, the renovation is in the early stages. But a fair few....

JohnD said:
What do you want to do with them?

Turn lights on and off. Plug in electrical gear. Just normal usage

JohnD said:
Why do you want metalclad?

Again, just for the aesthetics. It will suit the style of the room, to my taste at least.

JohnD said:
Have you thought about the metalclad boxes to go with them? Or are you going to chisel them into a wall?

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_I...iring_Accessories_Metal_Clad_Index/index.html

I'm glad you asked JohnD - I'll be honest, I hadn't noticed that a lot of them don't have back boxes!!! That would have been an unpleasant surprise! No, no chiselling. I'll need boxes to go with, and the fact that there are so many missing might change things.

OK, so more sleep needs to go to the top of my list

Thanks for all the help.

JohnD · 27 Feb 2020

What were you expecting to pay?

when you've got your list together, see who on here has got a crate on the top shelf.

wundaboy · 27 Feb 2020

I think the seller may be telling a porky calling them NOS - with the exception of a couple of items they look distinctly used to me.

There are some quality items there for their day - MK and Crabtree from the 1970s/80s. Some of the socket outlets towards the top left of the pic, and one towards bottom right, look like much lower quality MK imitations from the late 90s. They're between 20 and 50 years old, and for the most part I don't believe that they are new old stock.

However good or authentic or whatever they may be for your aesthetics, I don't believe it's wise to put any of those back into service - you don't know what sort of usage they've had, what condition the internals are in, or how much load has been put on them in the past that could have led to deterioration of the electrical contacts. If you're employing someone to wire this place up for you, there's also the strong possibility that they might refuse to install them due to the possible implications in terms of liability. I wouldn't do it.

I know there's an imperative to reuse, recycle etc these days but with electricity, safety has to take precedence. There is a wide range of styles available new, and you're sure to find something that goes with the look you're trying to create. Have a look on Screwfix, ToolStation or TLC.

SUNRAY · 27 Feb 2020

DIYNotIan said:
Apparently they are NOS, but I'd be buying over the internet so I can't see them before purchase.

NOS???

. That looks like a pile of crap that's been retrieved from a skip and most has has many many years of use and... and metal clad gear tends to be used in situations where it may have rough use. I wouldn't touch that lot with a barge pole. And that lot needs to be roported to the online site operator as it's blatently misrepresentation

Is there much that can be wrong with them? Cheers

Yes there is and why do you think that assortment has been ripped out in the first place?

stem · 27 Feb 2020

The 'red lights' are neon and they can fade / flicker after time. Also, for the lights to work you will need a neutral present at the switch. Lighting circuits don't always have this.

flameport · 27 Feb 2020

That is a pile of used scrap.
Some backboxes are missing and they are not usually interchangeable between manufacturers so finding replacements will be a pile of problems. Those that are present already have holes knocked out which won't be where you want holes to be.
2g switch bottom centre is an old style MK grid, hasn't been made for 30+ years and no parts are available for those any more.

Should all be put back in the skip where they came from.

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What are these switches with red lights above?

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