Confusing old wiring for a switch

[Greggoulding]

Hi,

Swapping out some old switches - including fitting back boxes. House is 30s and presume original wiring.

Just been tested by an electrician and all OK, and having a full rewire when we have some work done next year. But for now, not sure how to wire these.

 

[bernardgreen]

 

[sparkwright]

The wiring is not from the 30s, probably 50s or early 60s.

It's unlikely you have an earth connection at your light switch position, meaning you cannot use your new switch.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It's unlikely you have an earth connection at your light switch position, meaning you cannot use your new switch.

It's a plastic faceplate, he could maybe get away with it, using plastic screws.

 

[sparkwright]

It's a plastic faceplate, he could maybe get away with it, using plastic screws.

I wonder if the back box is wooden?

 

[Greggoulding]

The backbox is wood, and no earth. The new faceplate is metal so won't be using it. Got plenty of plastic ones so will use those.

Thanks for all the replies- very helpful!

 

[winston1]

I wonder if the back box is wooden?

Does it matter? He is fitting new back boxes.

 

[sparkwright]

Does it matter? He is fitting new back boxes.

A new back box is likely to be metal, and there is no earth.

Old switch back boxes when no earth was present, at the time when this age of wiring was used, tended to be wooden, or metal ones with nylon lugs.

At the time of asking, I only knew he was fitting new back boxes, I did not know why, or what the old ones were made of, or what the new ones were to be made of.

And of course, the comment about using plastic screws could have been taken literally, as screwing plastic screws into wood would have been interesting to say the least.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And of course, the comment about using plastic screws could have been taken literally, as screwing plastic screws into wood would have been interesting to say the least.

Obviously I had in mind that it was probably a metal box, rather than wood.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The backbox is wood, and no earth. The new faceplate is metal so won't be using it. Got plenty of plastic ones so will use those.

Thanks for all the replies- very helpful!

Note: The terminal numbers on other (plastic) switches may well be different to the ones on the metal one in your photo.