Live versus Switched Live

[curvydog]

Hi,

I have just wired replaced a single light switch with a dimmer switch. There was no indication on the red wires nor the old switch which was 'live' and which was 'switched live'.

It works, but I'm concerned that I may have caused a potential danger by getting 'live' and 'switched live' wrong. I've got a strong suspicion that it doesn't matter for my set-up (i.e. using 'common' and 'L1'). Is this correct?

Do I need to identify which is which, or is the new installation's wiring OK?

Many thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[GaryMo]

Sounds fine.
Ideally a permanent live should enter the common terminal but in your case with a simple one way arrangement it won't matter.

 

[davy_owen_88]

For a 1-way switch, it doesn't really matter which terminal the permanent live is connected to. Standard practice is to wire permanent live to C and switched live to L1 but it will work, and be completely safe wired the other way around.

Ideally the switched live should be sleeved with a little piece of brown sleeving but explaining how to identify which conductor is the switched live will create more chances of a dangerous situation occuring than if you just leave it alone.

Davy

 

[Taylortwocities]

No sleeving necessary as both wires are red (see OP).

Putting brown sleeve on would cause you to then put a warning sign on the consumer unit to state there are mixed colours in the installation.

 

[curvydog]

Thank you to everyone who responded - that was really helpful. I'm reassured. Cheers, Ian