| Changing a light switch is a job which nearly any | | | | cannot be re-energised. |
| competent do-it-yourselfer can do but there are a | | | | Remove the switch plate from the wall by |
| couple of things to watch out for. | | | | removing the two screws and pull it gently |
| Please bear in mind that in the UK it is illegal to | | | | towards you. You will now see the connections in |
| work on any part of the electrical installation in a | | | | the back. |
| kitchen or bathroom without notifying the local | | | | Now is a good time to make a note or sketch of |
| authority or employing a Part P registered | | | | where the cables are connected. If you have a |
| electrician. | | | | similar switch the terminations will be a straight |
| When you decide to change a light switch you | | | | replacement but if it looks different then make |
| must consider the circuit that the switch is on. | | | | these notes. |
| Prior to the mid 1960's lighting circuits rarely | | | | The majority of switches follow the same format |
| incorporated an earthing conductor, properly called | | | | for marking. 'C' for common, L1 and L2 for the |
| a circuit protective conductor (cpc). | | | | others. One a one way switch the common will |
| If you have an electrical installation in which the | | | | be the red/brown wire and L1 will take the black |
| lighting cables do not incorporate a cpc. then you | | | | blue wire with a short identifier of brown or red |
| must not replace any plastic light switch with a | | | | sleeving or tape. |
| metal one such as brass or steel. It would be | | | | With a two way switch it is not uncommon to |
| extremely dangerous to do so. | | | | have five wires connected into the back. Making a |
| Next you will have to ascertain what type of | | | | note is strongly recommended. The five wires will |
| switch you are changing. | | | | be split up into two pairs and a common. The two |
| A switch plate which has only one switch is called | | | | pairs can go into either L1 or L2, it does not |
| a one gang or single switch. One plate with two | | | | matter but the single wire must go into the |
| switches is called a two gang and so on. | | | | common or the switch will not work correctly. |
| There are basically three types of light switch, a | | | | When you first remove the switch you may |
| one way switch, a two way switch and an | | | | notice some blue or black wires connected into a |
| intermediate switch. All switches are rated at | | | | block, these are the neutrals and must not be |
| either 6 or 10 amps. | | | | connected to the other live wires or you will |
| A one way switch operates a light or lights from | | | | cause an electrical short and a small bang. |
| one position, normally by a door. A two way | | | | The earth or cpc wires can be left alone also |
| switch will have a partner so that a light can be | | | | unless you are fitting a metal switch in which case |
| turned on and off from two positions, say, by the | | | | you must make a connection to the plate to the |
| kitchen door and the back door. An intermediate | | | | terminal provided. This can be achieved with a |
| switch is used when the light has to be turned on | | | | short piece of copper wire, preferably sleeved |
| and off from three positions or more. | | | | with green and yellow sleeving. |
| A one way switch will have two terminals on the | | | | When you have made all the connections and are |
| back for the cable connections, a two way will | | | | satisfied that they are correct replace the switch |
| have three and an intermediate will have four. | | | | onto the box, ensuring that all the wires are |
| To change the switch, first turn on the light and | | | | pushed away from the screw positions and screw |
| then take out or turn off the fuse or mcb, this | | | | it down securely. |
| will ensure you have the right circuit. Put the fuse | | | | Follow these tips and changing a light switch will |
| in your pocket or tape down the mcb so that it | | | | not seem to be that difficult again. |