Two red wires..

[pp7822]

Hi all, I wonder if you can help? I was about to change an old white plastic dimmer switch for a 1 gang polished steel face plate. Recently moved to a new property and met by what appears to be fairly antiquated electrics! Opened the faceplate fo be met by two red wires. One has a piece of brown insulating tape wrapped around it. There is no earth wire that I can see. Obviously I haven’t fitted the new plate. Can I have some advice on what setup I have here, what my options are and whether or not I can fit my new polished faceplate or not? Thanks in advance.

 

[flameport]

One wire is permanent line, the other switched.
Doesn't matter which way they are connected to the 2 terminals on the switch.

There is no earth wire that I can see.

Metal switches cannot be used.

 

[pp7822]

One wire is permanent line, the other switched.
Doesn't matter which way they are connected to the 2 terminals on the switch.


Metal switches cannot be used.

Thank you for the quick response. I appreciate your help. I suspected I couldn’t use the metal switch. How old do you think this wiring is? To have the house upgraded to newer electrical wiring, how much do you think that would cost fitted? Would really like to have more modern electrical sockets ect.

 

[flameport]

If there is no earth on the lighting circuits, it's well over 50 years old.

 

[endecotp]

Are the wires in a metal conduit? In your picture we can’t see any of the outer grey (or white) sheath of a cable.

 

[AndyPRK]

I was wondering about it being conduit.
However the screw holes are nylon, so it’s unlikely to be earthed.

And in fact the box is too shallow for round conduit

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If there is no earth on the lighting circuits, it's well over 50 years old.

I would agree with that, based the style of the back-box.

 

[sparkwright]

I was wondering about it being conduit.
However the screw holes are nylon, so it’s unlikely to be earthed.

And in fact the box is too shallow for round conduit

They used to connect narrow imperial conduit to shallow boxes with an adaptor thingy.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They used to connect narrow imperial conduit to shallow boxes with an adaptor thingy.

Oval profile, with an open seam, and clamped into the adaptor thingy you mentioned.

 

[pp7822]

Thank guys. I’m resigned to the fact that as there is no earth I’m stuck with plastic for now. Many thanks for advice.

 

[endecotp]

IS IT CONDUIT ?

 

[RF Lighting]

IS IT CONDUIT ?

NO