Light switch Neon
 

I have just wired a couple of lamps in my loft over the garage. I have
taken the power from from a redundant power plug on the ceiling that
was put there for an electric garage door. I used a switch ( Marbo 20A
DP ) with a neon in the hope that this would glow when the loft lights
were on. it doesn't. The switch is located next to the power plug..

From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.


Parts

Light switch Neon
 

Light switch Neon
 

wrote in message
...
I have just wired a couple of lamps in my loft over the garage. I have
taken the power from from a redundant power plug on the ceiling that
was put there for an electric garage door. I used a switch ( Marbo 20A
DP ) with a neon in the hope that this would glow when the loft lights
were on. it doesn't. The switch is located next to the power plug..

From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.


Parts

I would guess that despite you using a DP switch you have only used one
pole, the reason that the neon is not glowing is that it is wired between
the L and N on the switched side and you are probably lacking the neutral.

Peter

Light switch Neon
 

expressed precisely :
From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.

If I understand you correctly - yes. If you wire both L and N through
the switch and wire them at the correct ends of the switch, it should
light up when on.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

Light switch Neon
 

Light switch Neon
 

"F Murtz" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I have just wired a couple of lamps in my loft over the garage. I have
taken the power from from a redundant power plug on the ceiling that
was put there for an electric garage door. I used a switch ( Marbo 20A
DP ) with a neon in the hope that this would glow when the loft lights
were on. it doesn't. The switch is located next to the power plug..

From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.


Parts
What you can do with a neon is connect it across the switch and it would
glow when switch is off making it easy to find in the dark.

If you want a neon to glow when the light is OFF and you are using an
incandescent bulb - just bridge the 2 contacts of a normal single pole
switch.

Light switch Neon
 

"John" wrote in message
...

"F Murtz" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I have just wired a couple of lamps in my loft over the garage. I have
taken the power from from a redundant power plug on the ceiling that
was put there for an electric garage door. I used a switch ( Marbo 20A
DP ) with a neon in the hope that this would glow when the loft lights
were on. it doesn't. The switch is located next to the power plug..

From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.


Parts
What you can do with a neon is connect it across the switch and it would
glow when switch is off making it easy to find in the dark.

If you want a neon to glow when the light is OFF and you are using an
incandescent bulb - just bridge the 2 contacts of a normal single pole
switch.


Sorry - already said - and I meant to say bridge the contacts with the neon.
You used to be able to buy surround plates that fitted behind the switch and
incorporated a neon or an electroluminescent panel. I bet they are still
around.
Need to use a conventional bulb in the main light ideally to allow the neon
to 'get its neutral return path'

Light switch Neon
 

"John" wrote in message
...

"F Murtz" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I have just wired a couple of lamps in my loft over the garage. I have
taken the power from from a redundant power plug on the ceiling that
was put there for an electric garage door. I used a switch ( Marbo 20A
DP ) with a neon in the hope that this would glow when the loft lights
were on. it doesn't. The switch is located next to the power plug..

From reading I gather that neons dont glow in a single wire circuit ,
given the proximity of the power source would it possible to pass both
sides of the circuit through the two paths of the switch to achieve
a glowing neon.


Parts
What you can do with a neon is connect it across the switch and it would
glow when switch is off making it easy to find in the dark.

If you want a neon to glow when the light is OFF and you are using an
incandescent bulb - just bridge the 2 contacts of a normal single pole
switch.



Someone is capitalising on the idea:

http://www.litswitch.com/about/

Light switch Neon
 

"John" wrote in message
...



Someone is capitalising on the idea:

http://www.litswitch.com/about/
ooh I do like those..
--
Vass

Light switch Neon
 

You used to be able to buy surround plates that fitted behind the switch and
incorporated a neon or an electroluminescent panel.

Standard MK part:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MKK3041.html

IIRC, other manufacturers too.