neon lit switch for loft lights.

Well, if I go to Toolstation and buy "an immersion switch with neon" (not that they are solely immersion switches) then that is what I will have - "an immersion switch with neon".

However I then wire the switch, or describe my wiring to anyone else, it will always be "an immersion switch with neon".
 
Sponsored Links
Well, if I go to Toolstation and buy "an immersion switch with neon" (not that they are solely immersion switches) then that is what I will have - "an immersion switch with neon".
Indeed - and if what you asked for, and bought, was 'a switch with a neon', it's pretty likely that what you would get would be a DP switch.
However I then wire the switch, or describe my wiring to anyone else, it will always be "an immersion switch with neon".
It will.

What is your point? Has anyone suggested that it would ever become anything other than "an (immersion) switch with a neon"?

Kind Regards, John
 
Earth leakage currents of a few mA occur in EMC filter circuits and are permissible in certain classes of equipment. A neon indicator on a mains appliance typically draws about 0.5mA, so is it possible that a single pole switch with a neon has the neon (plus series resistor) wired between switched live and earth?
 
Earth leakage currents of a few mA occur in EMC filter circuits and are permissible in certain classes of equipment. A neon indicator on a mains appliance typically draws about 0.5mA, so is it possible that a single pole switch with a neon has the neon (plus series resistor) wired between switched live and earth?
It would probably work, but it's technically not allowed to deliberately design to use a CPC ('earth') to carry current (other than under fault conditions), so I very much doubt that you would/could find a single pole switch which used that approach.

Kind Regards, John
 
Sponsored Links
Earth leakage currents of a few mA occur in EMC filter circuits and are permissible in certain classes of equipment. A neon indicator on a mains appliance typically draws about 0.5mA, so is it possible that a single pole switch with a neon has the neon (plus series resistor) wired between switched live and earth?
This is the kind of suggestion which should never be made on a DIY forum.
 
What is your point? Has anyone suggested that it would ever become anything other than "an (immersion) switch with a neon"?


No, but you said that the OP saying he was 'using one pole of "an immersion switch with neon"' suggested that the neon connections were altered; it does not.
 
No, but you said that the OP saying he was 'using one pole of "an immersion switch with neon"' suggested that the neon connections were altered; it does not.
I don't recall explicitly 'suggesting' that (that the connections had been altered), but I suppose it would have to be true, since the neon in a DP switch would come connected between the (load side) N & L, rather than across one pole of the switch.

However, I presume you agree that to get the 'reversed' behaviour of the neon he described, the neon had to be connected between the two terminals of the same pole (the only pole, or one pole of a DP switch) - which, as above, implies that the wiring of the neon would have to have been changed?

Kind Regards, John
 
Neon wires would have to have been moved to make it light
That's what I said - and, when moved as we are speculating, it would result in the 'reverse behaviour' of the neon that the OP described.

Kind Regards, John
 
I have done this on a number of ocassions in various applications:

Drill a hole in the ceiling in the most prominent position where it will be seen and fit something like this LED
MC02330-40.jpg

or this neon
4434213.jpg

I googled for 'panel mount neon' loads of different styles and colours to chose from.
 
Because the neon is wired across the switch. With the switch open the voltage across it causes the neon to light, but the current through the neon is so small that the lamp doesn't light noticeably.
Some confusion in this thread. As I see it OP has done this:
upload_2020-7-1_22-38-45.png

And I, along with several others don't see why the neon lights at all. However I suspect OP has done something different. Maybe this:
upload_2020-7-1_22-42-39.png
?
 
Some confusion in this thread. As I see it OP has done this: .... And I, along with several others don't see why the neon lights at all.
As you say, whatever anyone might think, he can't have done just that, since the neon would then never have lit.
However I suspect OP has done something different. Maybe this: ...
If the OP had done that already (adding the link you show in red), I would not have expected him to be asking this, would you? ....
... the neon lamp lights when the switch is off rather than when its on. can I flip connections or add some bridging wires to fix this and if so where ??

Kind Regards, John
 
Sunray. I had come up with a different thought. Ie the op linking Lin with Nout at the switch.
I then however remembered most switches have flying neon wires, so op could have moved the wires where ever he liked.
 
I have 2 neon indicated switches on my attic stairs because there is no natural light there and my attic dwelling daughter needs to see where the switches are.

They are designed with the neon across the switch and when the switch is open the neon takes a little current via the bulb and back to neutral.
They worked fine with the old incandescant bulbs, however with CFL or LED lamps they just flicker a lot but are still visible in the dark.

If the immersion switch is not working then it seems the OP has simply got the wires in the wrong place.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

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

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top