Hi

I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

Thanks in advance

All the best
Keith

wrote:

I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description would
help here!

David

In article
,
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about.

Three terminals all connected on a switch means it's two way.

--
*People want trepanners like they want a hole in the head*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. *I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. *I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. *I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. *This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. *Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? *Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. *If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). *If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? *Full description would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

On 17 Feb, 13:43, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
In article
,
wrote:

I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about.

Three terminals all connected on a switch means it's two way.

--
*People want trepanners like they want a hole in the head*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Thanks for your reply. Definitely only one switch. Also, I checked a
one way light in my folks house and the switch is wired exactly the
same way.

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. *I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. *I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. *I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. *This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. *Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? *Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. *If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). *If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? *Full description would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

On 17 Feb, 14:08, Keith2.0 wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:



On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work. I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

Thanks very much. Sorry to be a pain, but can I just ask: how is the
circuit wired? does one of the TOP wires go to the next switch? I
take it this circuit is not one of the textbook methods now used.

wrote in message
...
On 17 Feb, 14:08, Keith2.0 wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:



On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I
don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be
too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work.
I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the
lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description
would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

Thanks very much. Sorry to be a pain, but can I just ask: how is the
circuit wired? does one of the TOP wires go to the next switch? I
take it this circuit is not one of the textbook methods now used.

Your lights are wired in "singles". You are correct that one of the wires on
the TOP goes to another light switch. Somewhere in the house will be a
switch with only one wire in the TOP. This will be the last light in the
chain.

You will also find at the fitting one live and two neutrals. One of these
neutrals will carry on to the next fitting in the chain.

This method of wiring is still used (and favoured by some local authorities
in their properties).

Adam

On 17 Feb, 14:57, "ARWadworth" wrote:
wrote in message

...



On 17 Feb, 14:08, Keith2.0 wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I
don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't be
too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to work.
I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the
lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description
would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

Thanks very much. Sorry to be a pain, but can I just ask: how is the
circuit wired? does one of the TOP wires go to the next switch? I
take it this circuit is not one of the textbook methods now used.

Your lights are wired in "singles". You are correct that one of the wires on
the TOP goes to another light switch. Somewhere in the house will be a
switch with only one wire in the TOP. This will be the last light in the
chain.

You will also find at the fitting one live and two neutrals. One of these
neutrals will carry on to the next fitting in the chain.

This method of wiring is still used (and favoured by some local authorities
in their properties).

Adam

Thanks very much Adam. There is a 5A fuse on the circuit at the
moment. Would it be OK to put in a 10A fuse, because I think we might
be about on the limit for 5A?

wrote in message
...
On 17 Feb, 14:57, "ARWadworth" wrote:
wrote in message

...



On 17 Feb, 14:08, Keith2.0 wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I
don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't
be
too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to
work.
I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the
lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out
the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes
I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie
probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are
the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description
would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one
marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

Thanks very much. Sorry to be a pain, but can I just ask: how is the
circuit wired? does one of the TOP wires go to the next switch? I
take it this circuit is not one of the textbook methods now used.

Your lights are wired in "singles". You are correct that one of the wires
on
the TOP goes to another light switch. Somewhere in the house will be a
switch with only one wire in the TOP. This will be the last light in the
chain.

You will also find at the fitting one live and two neutrals. One of these
neutrals will carry on to the next fitting in the chain.

This method of wiring is still used (and favoured by some local
authorities
in their properties).

Adam

Thanks very much Adam. There is a 5A fuse on the circuit at the
moment. Would it be OK to put in a 10A fuse, because I think we might
be about on the limit for 5A?

I am afraid that is a "how long is a piece of string" question. You need
special equipment to measure the earth loop on the lighting circuit before
you can answer it.

Do not just change the fuse.

Adam

On 17 Feb, 16:59, "ARWadworth" wrote:
wrote in message

...



On 17 Feb, 14:57, "ARWadworth" wrote:
wrote in message

...

On 17 Feb, 14:08, Keith2.0 wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:47:52 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On 17 Feb, 13:34, Lobster wrote:
wrote:
I live in the UK in a house that's about 30 years old or so. I
don't
really know anything about electrics, but I thought it wouldn't
be
too
difficult to add some spotlights, so I bought some and set to
work.
I
had a look at one of the switches to try to figure out how the
lights
were wired, now I'm confused. I looked at a switch for a one way
single light, but instead of having the one-in-one out wiring I
expected, it has two wires coming in the top and one coming out
the
bottom. This does not seem to match either of the wiring schemes
I
have read about. Does this mean that the switches are wired as
junction boxes or am I talking crap? Please excuse my lack of
knowledge. If someone can explain it to me I'd be most grateful.

For a start, when you talk about wires do you mean cables (ie
probably
grey or white sheath with wires inside?). If so, what colours are
the
insulated wires, and what are they connected to? Full description
would
help here!

David

Thanks for your reply. OK, the switch has 2 terminals: the one
marked
TOP has 2 red cables going into it and is live; the bottom terminal
has one red cable going into it that is live when the switch is on.

The bottom one is the switched live, the other 2 are looped in live
feed.
These days these should be accompanied by earths. There is some reg
about the max distance a wire can go without an integral earth
conductor.
I'd start at the light fitting you are replacing/adding to. There must
be a nuetral there and hopefully an earth.

Thanks very much. Sorry to be a pain, but can I just ask: how is the
circuit wired? does one of the TOP wires go to the next switch? I
take it this circuit is not one of the textbook methods now used.

Your lights are wired in "singles". You are correct that one of the wires
on
the TOP goes to another light switch. Somewhere in the house will be a
switch with only one wire in the TOP. This will be the last light in the
chain.

You will also find at the fitting one live and two neutrals. One of these
neutrals will carry on to the next fitting in the chain.

This method of wiring is still used (and favoured by some local
authorities
in their properties).

Adam

Thanks very much Adam. There is a 5A fuse on the circuit at the
moment. Would it be OK to put in a 10A fuse, because I think we might
be about on the limit for 5A?

I am afraid that is a "how long is a piece of string" question. You need
special equipment to measure the earth loop on the lighting circuit before
you can answer it.

Do not just change the fuse.

Adam

Well I got it installed and working, so thanks to everyone for all
your help, it's much appreciated.

All the best
Keith