Oak pattress behind electrical switch

[Possom]

If having an electrician place a surface-mounted wooden pattress box on a wall with a light switch on this in order to achieve a 1930s look, I expect there is some element of increased risk with having a timber product next to an electrical product in this manner.

To reduce any such risk, should the pattress box be made from specific timber, for example, oak? I have seen several produced from oak.

Thanks.

 

[sparkwright]

You can buy light switches with the wooden plinth, so these would be approved.

 

[sparkwright]

As long as the back of the switch where the terminals are is shielded from the wood with earthed metal or plastic, you should be ok.

 

[chivers67]

Even screw fix do these.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Houses are made of wood.

 

[Possom]

Even screw fix do these.

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of.

 

[chivers67]

Doesn't the cable just go through the wood into the Bakelite switch?

 

[JohnW2]

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of.

Nothing wrong with that (provided the switch itself is up to standard) - no different from having the switch (or any modern plastic surface-mounted switch) attached to a wooden, or wood-panelled/clad wall.

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

Home made from 100mm wide, 20mm oak ( probably American white ) planks. Cut to size ( length depending how many switches ) and the edges milled and sanded.

The back of the pattress is hollowed out to provide space for wiring.

With antique switches the pattress is drilled with a holes to match the terminals of the switch and a single wire through each hole ( the sheath of Twin and Earth being kept as close to the switch as possible ) A parking terminal for the Earth wire should be provided inside the pattress.

The switches here are ELV ( 12 volt ) but the same method works for LV ( 230 volt ) switches