replacing 2-way, 1-gang dimmer switch with normal switch

[mjb_red5]

Hi folks

A while back, the dimmer switch in our hallway stopped working - the light won't turn on at all, and the other (normal) switch on the 2-way won't turn it on either.

(The dimmer function actually gave up the ghost some time ago, but was still working fine as a normal switch)

I turned off the RCD, bought a new (metal) switch, then took the dimmer switch off to find no back box, no earth, and the switch just screwed into the wooden struts in the wall. Old colours too, so must have been done some time ago.

Now, with no earth wire, there's no way I'm fitting a metal switch, so will buy a straightforward plastic one.

I think what I need to do is take the two wires from L1, put them into L1 on the new switch; the same with L2; and the red one going into the box with a symbol into 'C' on the new switch.

If I get a plastic switch, and do that, should I be fine, or is there any information here that should give me cause to worry?

Thanks for your advice in advance - this is my first post, the forum comes highly recommended by others!

 

[SUNRAY]

That does sound correct, to double check the other switch will most likely have the cable with red, white and blue wires connected the same.

Are you sure that's not a wooden back box which would match well with the age of the 3 core cable.View media item 26849

 

[mjb_red5]

thanks @SUNRAY - I'll have to open it up again to check, but from memory there was just a cavity where the wires were. It's an old house, about 1900 I think.

Good idea about double checking the other switch, I'll do that once I've bought the plastic replacement. (My 2 year old has a fixation with touching light switches so the lack of earth gives me the collywobbles about a metal faceplate!)

 

[SUNRAY]

thanks @SUNRAY - I'll have to open it up again to check, but from memory there was just a cavity where the wires were. It's an old house, about 1900 I think.

Good idea about double checking the other switch, I'll do that once I've bought the plastic replacement. (My 2 year old has a fixation with touching light switches so the lack of earth gives me the collywobbles about a metal faceplate!)

Try and get a switch with little white caps to go in the screw holes.

 

[securespark]

Better nylon screws.

 

[SUNRAY]

Better nylon screws.

It screws into wood.

 

[securespark]

I made the assumption the old wooden box would be swapped out for new, as, I think, Sunray did.

 

[SUNRAY]

I made the assumption the old wooden box would be swapped out for new, as, I think, Sunray did.

No not me, I intended adding the advice to change the box and add an earth while redecorating at a later stage but for now I'll be happy to let it stay 'as is', just as the picture I posted from my house.

 

[securespark]

i wondered why you advised getting screw caps.
Perhaps I'm not very awake today!

 

[SUNRAY]

i wondered why you advised getting screw caps.
Perhaps I'm not very awake today!

Just the 'standard' thing to do when there's no earth at a switch even though it's into wood.
I confess mine [pictured] does not have caps but I'd do that when the switch needs replacing.