tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
Never underestimate the stupidity of previous inhabitants, and never do a bodge job yourself as it may not be you who next works on it.
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Wanted Advice please: fitting a dimmer switch (it's more complicated than it sounds)...
- Thread starter Lunar Scorpion
- Start date
Never underestimate the stupidity of previous inhabitants, and never do a bodge job yourself as it may not be you who next works on it.
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
The landlord I'm with isn't Stafford and Rural Homes so they tend to look after their properties. The switch matches the other switch in the kitchen and all the sockets, and it looks fairly neat inside so I think it's safe to assume it's not a bodge job. I'm not the kind of person to not do things like this properly.
tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
I didn't mean to imply you were, but sometimes you take a shortcut just to get something running and mean to go back to it later but.....
Well, I know I do!
Well, I know I do!
henryscat
Well-Known Forumite
Indeed, I recently sorted out landing light switches at my brother's house. The two way switch wasn't working- you couldn't switch it on then off at the other switch. When I got the switches off the wall, the wires were on incorrect terminals, which I assume was the fault of whichever numpty the house builder employed.Gramaisc said:
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
If it's wired up properly it's guaranteed to work - so might as well get it wired up properly. 
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
PMSL
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
I doubt that's what will be on the certificate.
tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
Two more things.
1) Do not attempt it if you feel unwell, have a headache or are generally a little vacant at present.
2) Should you find yourself with a problem, and keep having to go back and forth playing with the master switch, never assume that just because your fridge has stopped making a noise that the power is off.
Yours,
monkey-with-scorched-fingers
1) Do not attempt it if you feel unwell, have a headache or are generally a little vacant at present.
2) Should you find yourself with a problem, and keep having to go back and forth playing with the master switch, never assume that just because your fridge has stopped making a noise that the power is off.
Yours,
monkey-with-scorched-fingers
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
Mmm, timers and thermostats have caught many a person - and people walking in and turning the lights on...Two more things.
1) Do not attempt it if you feel unwell, have a headache or are generally a little vacant at present.
2) Should you find yourself with a problem, and keep having to go back and forth playing with the master switch, never assume that just because your fridge has stopped making a noise that the power is off.
Yours,
monkey-with-scorched-fingers
I would feel happier if she posted here every hour until this was over....
I'm saying nothing about her being possibly 'generally a little vacant' in general...
tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
Hmm, just tried to swap my lightswitch over to one I've been meaning to fit since I moved in. There is no back box, it is held together by a wood screw. I then tried changing the faceplate on the double plug socket, that has a back box but its too small to accept my faceplate.
Wish I hadn't bothered! At least I am slightly more energy efficient now with the new light fitting
Wish I hadn't bothered! At least I am slightly more energy efficient now with the new light fitting
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
Chill out dudes, I'm not gonna get a dimmer switch until at least Saturday - found out that a friend happens to have one they don't want!
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
Phew - I haven't slept for two days.
bpelectric
Well-Known Forumite
If your still having problems PM me I'll be happy to help out.
Dimmer's come if different sizes so be very careful and get the right size
If your unsure as to which MCB controls the circuit turn off the main switch in the consumer unit.
Also make sure you get the wires the right way round on the dimmer.
If the installed back box is the 15mm type you'll need to replace it with a 25mm dimmer's take up more room.
LOOK to see if theres an earth wire green and yellow some older installations never had earths installed on lighting circuits, some dimmers need an earth connection, its used for filtering ( stops the buzzing noise some dimmers make ).
Dimmer's come if different sizes so be very careful and get the right size
If your unsure as to which MCB controls the circuit turn off the main switch in the consumer unit.
Also make sure you get the wires the right way round on the dimmer.
If the installed back box is the 15mm type you'll need to replace it with a 25mm dimmer's take up more room.
LOOK to see if theres an earth wire green and yellow some older installations never had earths installed on lighting circuits, some dimmers need an earth connection, its used for filtering ( stops the buzzing noise some dimmers make ).
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
bpelectric
Well-Known Forumite
If you would like me to check it out just PM me