If wiring a light switch, a piece of wire is needed to make a link. Can a piece of wire from an appliance be used, i.e an old iron or something?
Thanks
Thanks
Making a link
- Thread starter John506
- Start date
Better to use the correct wire; which is normally going to be a red, or brown 1.5mm wire that has come from a bit of twin and earth cable.
Legally It would at least need to be electrically as good a the above and be sleeved the correct colour.
Legally It would at least need to be electrically as good a the above and be sleeved the correct colour.
Ok thanks, I'll try and get my hands on some
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2008
- Messages
- 27,519
- Reaction score
- 3,325
- Location
- Llanfair Caereinion, Nr Welshpool
- Country
Hard to answer correctly as there are many grades of wire. But yes I have used flex to make links. Of course should be right colour or sleeved and correct thickness.
The only problem is with maintenance free connections. i.e. where there is a spring rather than a screw.
As to why one needs a link is another question?
Years ago it was common to use twin instead of triple cable to link between switches. As a result the live was borrowed from an adjoining switch. However this has two major problems.
1) Because the feed and return are not in the same cable it can produce mains hum on radios and TV's in the house. Even the phones can be affected.
2) It is easy for the live to be taken from a different circuit (Circuit is all supplied by one fuse or MCB) to that feeding the other switch. This results in a borrowed neutral situation which is dangerous.
So rather than asking if a bit of old flex can be used the question is why do you need a link?
The only problem is with maintenance free connections. i.e. where there is a spring rather than a screw.
As to why one needs a link is another question?
Years ago it was common to use twin instead of triple cable to link between switches. As a result the live was borrowed from an adjoining switch. However this has two major problems.
1) Because the feed and return are not in the same cable it can produce mains hum on radios and TV's in the house. Even the phones can be affected.
2) It is easy for the live to be taken from a different circuit (Circuit is all supplied by one fuse or MCB) to that feeding the other switch. This results in a borrowed neutral situation which is dangerous.
So rather than asking if a bit of old flex can be used the question is why do you need a link?
And another question relates to this:
It's not a rare substance - if you're installing a light switch you should have some.
"Try and get my hands on some"?
It's not a rare substance - if you're installing a light switch you should have some.
Solid and fine stranded conductors should not be used in the same screw-type terminal remember.
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
