I recently installed a light in our loft. I didn't want there to be a chance of the lights being left on, so I installed a switch near the hatch rather than in the loft. I selected an 20A MK one with a red neon above the switch.
I broke into the lighting ring from the bedroom nearest the switch (less than a metre away) using an MK three-terminal junction box. I went from there 10cm down the stud wall to the switch, and from the switch to single light fitting in the rafters. I used 1mm twin & earth cable on both sides of the switch. Earth from both sides connected to the earth bar in the back of the swith. The switch itself had four terminals. L1 and N1 connected to the supply side, and L2 and N2 connected to the light fitting.
Everything appeared okay. When I turned the power back on the light worked. It stays on and is consistent. Doesn't flicker or do anything weird. The neon on the other hand is erratic. If the light's been off for a while it sometimes works, but if I turn the lights off and back on the neon doesn't illuminate at all. Sometimes if I tap the switch hard it comes on or flashes and flickers. Not much use really.
I guess my questions is this: is it a dodgy switch, or have I done something wrong in the wiring? Terminals on the back of the switch appear very secure, and presumably if there was a poor connection the light would flicker when the neon does?
Really just want someone to confirm I did it right, in which case it's the switch. As far as I can see I followed the instructions to the letter.
Thanks.
I broke into the lighting ring from the bedroom nearest the switch (less than a metre away) using an MK three-terminal junction box. I went from there 10cm down the stud wall to the switch, and from the switch to single light fitting in the rafters. I used 1mm twin & earth cable on both sides of the switch. Earth from both sides connected to the earth bar in the back of the swith. The switch itself had four terminals. L1 and N1 connected to the supply side, and L2 and N2 connected to the light fitting.
Everything appeared okay. When I turned the power back on the light worked. It stays on and is consistent. Doesn't flicker or do anything weird. The neon on the other hand is erratic. If the light's been off for a while it sometimes works, but if I turn the lights off and back on the neon doesn't illuminate at all. Sometimes if I tap the switch hard it comes on or flashes and flickers. Not much use really.
I guess my questions is this: is it a dodgy switch, or have I done something wrong in the wiring? Terminals on the back of the switch appear very secure, and presumably if there was a poor connection the light would flicker when the neon does?
Really just want someone to confirm I did it right, in which case it's the switch. As far as I can see I followed the instructions to the letter.
Thanks.