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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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Neon Testers and False Leads - Help Please!!
Hi Group, probably old hat, but even a one-liner response would help.
The brother-in-law has a holiday home. Mains electricity - but at a distance. I am an electrical engineer (retired - the theory type - not so experienced on the practice). He asked me to help with sorting the wiring for the lighting in the house. A long corridor with dual switches for overhead lights. Been there for many years. Not sure if it was ever right - he did some amatuer DIY on it and maybe changed things . . . screwed it up. . . Some lights come on when switch A is on, others when switch B is on . . . A mess. So, I pulled back the wall switches and did some simple probing with a neon tester. Some wires showed a bright neon - obviously live. Some showed no light - not live. BUT SOME WIRES SHOWED A DULL NEON LIGHT - when other switches were turned on these became bright. I has assumed it would be easy - which wires were live - light or no light - draw the diagrams etc etc etc. So, my question please. If a neon tester just glows a bit, can this be due to seeing a neutral with a long run back to the local supply trafo and hence with some small voltage drop? Can a neon tester (the screwdriver handle type) register a few volts on the neutral? Or am I losing it totally? Missing some point? Any advice (be gentle, please) appreciated. Ger P.S. Plan B is to switch off the supply to the house, isolate all the wires from the switches and use a meter to trace the wiring. |